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NASA's TRACERS Satellites Begin Solar Wind Study Despite SV1 Glitch
NASA launched its twin TRACERS satellites on July 23, 2025, to study how solar wind causes magnetic reconnection in Earth's magnetosphere. However, a power issue on one spacecraft, SV1, has caused intermittent communication. Engineers believe the issue relates to sunlight availability on its solar panels and plan recovery efforts in August. Meanwhi...
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Solar Sail Spacecraft Could Boost Space Weather Warnings by Nearly 60 Minutes
A solar sail spacecraft could extend space weather warnings from 40 to 60 minutes, offering vital lead time before solar storms strike. Part of the SWIFT mission, this satellite will orbit farther than any current monitor, using sunlight for propulsion. The system aims to better protect satellites, astronauts, and power grids from geomagnetic disru...
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NASA’s Twin TRACERS Satellites Will Monitor Space Weather to Shield Earth from Solar Storms
NASA’s TRACERS satellites will fly in tandem through Earth’s polar cusps to study magnetic storms and solar wind effects. The mission aims to improve predictions of space weather events that threaten satellites, power grids, and astronauts, offering new insight into magnetic reconnection and helping protect vital systems from the hazards of int...
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NASA’s Parker Probe Sends Closest-Ever Images from Inside the Sun’s Corona
NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has achieved a solar milestone by capturing the closest-ever images of the Sun, taken just 3.8 million miles from its surface in December 2024. These WISPR images reveal unprecedented details of the corona, solar wind, and CME collisions. Scientists say this breakthrough will improve our ability to forecast space weather...
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Scientists Warn of Inadequate Solar Storm Forecasting: What You Need to Know
Scientists warn that Earth remains exposed to solar storms due to missing early data on its magnetic fields. Current satellites offer just minutes of warning, limiting our ability to protect power grids, satellites, and GPS systems. Without broader solar observation from multiple angles, a major storm could cause catastrophic disruptions, emphasisi...
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NASA’s EZIE Satellites Begin Mission to Study Auroral Electrojets and Space Weather
NASA’s Electrojet Zeeman Imaging Explorer (EZIE) mission has been launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The trio of small satellites will map auroral electrojets, powerful currents in Earth’s atmosphere linked to solar storms. Their data will enhance space weather prediction models and help understand planetary mag...
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Solar Sail Satellites Could Enhance Space Weather Forecasting and Alerts
Solar sail satellites, harnessing sunlight for propulsion, are being developed to improve space weather forecasting. NOAA and NASA’s Solar Cruiser project aims to extend geomagnetic storm alert times by 50%, reducing risks to power grids, GPS, and air traffic. The new spacecraft, expected to launch in 2029, will move beyond traditional observatio...
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Massive Coronal Hole on Sun Sends High-Speed Solar Wind Toward Earth
A giant 800,000 km coronal hole on the Sun is unleashing high-speed solar wind toward Earth, potentially triggering a G1 geomagnetic storm on January 31 and February 1. The NOAA has issued a watch, predicting enhanced auroras in higher latitudes. While G1 storms are minor, they can impact satellites and power grids. The storm’s intensity remains ...
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Solar Cycle 25: How the Sun’s Peak Activity Will Impact Earth in 2025
Solar Cycle 25 continues with high activity levels in 2025. Increased solar flares and geomagnetic storms are anticipated, with risks to satellite systems and power grids. Widespread auroras could also light up low-latitude skies. Partial solar eclipses are scheduled for March and September in select regions. Observations indicate strong solar phen...
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Solar Maximum Explained: Current Status and Future Expectations in 2024
Solar maximum is the peak of solar activity in an approximately 11-year cycle. Currently, we are experiencing the solar maximum of Solar Cycle 25, which could last until 2026. This phase is characterized by an increase in sunspots and solar flares, impacting Earth through geomagnetic storms that can disrupt satellites, power grids, and communicatio...
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NASA Confirms Solar Maximum as Sun Reaches Peak of Its 11-Year Cycle with Heightened Activity
NASA and NOAA report that the Sun has reached its most active phase in the 11-year solar cycle, known as solar maximum. This period increases solar storms, affecting satellites, astronauts, and Earth's communication and power systems. While the exact peak won’t be confirmed for months, solar activity is expected to remain high for the next year.
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The Sun Fires Off Another High Intensity X Flare, Triggers Radio Blackouts
On October 7, 2024, sunspot AR 3842 released another powerful X2.1 solar flare, causing significant radio blackouts across North and South America, as well as over the Pacific Ocean. This is the second major flare from AR 3842 after it previously unleashed the most intense solar flare in seven years. Scientists from NOAA are currently analysing dat...
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Scientists Find Evidence of Past Extreme Solar Storms, Warn of Potential Technological Catastrophe
Scientists have uncovered evidence of past solar storms that were far more extreme than the well-known Carrington event of 1859, which disrupted telegraph systems across Europe and North America. By studying radiocarbon levels in tree rings, researchers like Fusa Miyake have identified ancient solar events, including a massive storm in AD774 that d...
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NASA Might Have Spotted Highest Number of Sunspots in Over 20 Years
On August 8, 2024, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) may have documented a record-breaking number of sunspots in a single day, marking a significant event in Solar Cycle 25. These sunspots, which are dark, cooler areas on the Sun’s surface caused by intense magnetic activity, play a crucial role in the Sun's behaviour and have a direct impa...
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Powerful Solar Storm Hits Earth, Could Disrupt Communication, Power Grids
A huge solar storm begun pummeling Earth on Friday, bringing possible disruptions to satellites and power grids -- and stunning auroras -- as it intensifies.
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NASA's TRACERS Satellites Begin Solar Wind Study Despite SV1 Glitch
NASA launched its twin TRACERS satellites on July 23, 2025, to study how solar wind causes magnetic reconnection in Earth's magnetosphere. However, a power issue on one spacecraft, SV1, has caused intermittent communication. Engineers believe the issue relates to sunlight availability on its solar panels and plan recovery efforts in August. Meanwhi...
-
Solar Sail Spacecraft Could Boost Space Weather Warnings by Nearly 60 Minutes
A solar sail spacecraft could extend space weather warnings from 40 to 60 minutes, offering vital lead time before solar storms strike. Part of the SWIFT mission, this satellite will orbit farther than any current monitor, using sunlight for propulsion. The system aims to better protect satellites, astronauts, and power grids from geomagnetic disru...
-
NASA’s Twin TRACERS Satellites Will Monitor Space Weather to Shield Earth from Solar Storms
NASA’s TRACERS satellites will fly in tandem through Earth’s polar cusps to study magnetic storms and solar wind effects. The mission aims to improve predictions of space weather events that threaten satellites, power grids, and astronauts, offering new insight into magnetic reconnection and helping protect vital systems from the hazards of int...
-
NASA’s Parker Probe Sends Closest-Ever Images from Inside the Sun’s Corona
NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has achieved a solar milestone by capturing the closest-ever images of the Sun, taken just 3.8 million miles from its surface in December 2024. These WISPR images reveal unprecedented details of the corona, solar wind, and CME collisions. Scientists say this breakthrough will improve our ability to forecast space weather...
-
Scientists Warn of Inadequate Solar Storm Forecasting: What You Need to Know
Scientists warn that Earth remains exposed to solar storms due to missing early data on its magnetic fields. Current satellites offer just minutes of warning, limiting our ability to protect power grids, satellites, and GPS systems. Without broader solar observation from multiple angles, a major storm could cause catastrophic disruptions, emphasisi...
-
NASA’s EZIE Satellites Begin Mission to Study Auroral Electrojets and Space Weather
NASA’s Electrojet Zeeman Imaging Explorer (EZIE) mission has been launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The trio of small satellites will map auroral electrojets, powerful currents in Earth’s atmosphere linked to solar storms. Their data will enhance space weather prediction models and help understand planetary mag...
-
Solar Sail Satellites Could Enhance Space Weather Forecasting and Alerts
Solar sail satellites, harnessing sunlight for propulsion, are being developed to improve space weather forecasting. NOAA and NASA’s Solar Cruiser project aims to extend geomagnetic storm alert times by 50%, reducing risks to power grids, GPS, and air traffic. The new spacecraft, expected to launch in 2029, will move beyond traditional observatio...
-
Massive Coronal Hole on Sun Sends High-Speed Solar Wind Toward Earth
A giant 800,000 km coronal hole on the Sun is unleashing high-speed solar wind toward Earth, potentially triggering a G1 geomagnetic storm on January 31 and February 1. The NOAA has issued a watch, predicting enhanced auroras in higher latitudes. While G1 storms are minor, they can impact satellites and power grids. The storm’s intensity remains ...
-
Solar Cycle 25: How the Sun’s Peak Activity Will Impact Earth in 2025
Solar Cycle 25 continues with high activity levels in 2025. Increased solar flares and geomagnetic storms are anticipated, with risks to satellite systems and power grids. Widespread auroras could also light up low-latitude skies. Partial solar eclipses are scheduled for March and September in select regions. Observations indicate strong solar phen...
-
Solar Maximum Explained: Current Status and Future Expectations in 2024
Solar maximum is the peak of solar activity in an approximately 11-year cycle. Currently, we are experiencing the solar maximum of Solar Cycle 25, which could last until 2026. This phase is characterized by an increase in sunspots and solar flares, impacting Earth through geomagnetic storms that can disrupt satellites, power grids, and communicatio...
-
NASA Confirms Solar Maximum as Sun Reaches Peak of Its 11-Year Cycle with Heightened Activity
NASA and NOAA report that the Sun has reached its most active phase in the 11-year solar cycle, known as solar maximum. This period increases solar storms, affecting satellites, astronauts, and Earth's communication and power systems. While the exact peak won’t be confirmed for months, solar activity is expected to remain high for the next year.
-
The Sun Fires Off Another High Intensity X Flare, Triggers Radio Blackouts
On October 7, 2024, sunspot AR 3842 released another powerful X2.1 solar flare, causing significant radio blackouts across North and South America, as well as over the Pacific Ocean. This is the second major flare from AR 3842 after it previously unleashed the most intense solar flare in seven years. Scientists from NOAA are currently analysing dat...
-
Scientists Find Evidence of Past Extreme Solar Storms, Warn of Potential Technological Catastrophe
Scientists have uncovered evidence of past solar storms that were far more extreme than the well-known Carrington event of 1859, which disrupted telegraph systems across Europe and North America. By studying radiocarbon levels in tree rings, researchers like Fusa Miyake have identified ancient solar events, including a massive storm in AD774 that d...
-
NASA Might Have Spotted Highest Number of Sunspots in Over 20 Years
On August 8, 2024, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) may have documented a record-breaking number of sunspots in a single day, marking a significant event in Solar Cycle 25. These sunspots, which are dark, cooler areas on the Sun’s surface caused by intense magnetic activity, play a crucial role in the Sun's behaviour and have a direct impa...
-
Powerful Solar Storm Hits Earth, Could Disrupt Communication, Power Grids
A huge solar storm begun pummeling Earth on Friday, bringing possible disruptions to satellites and power grids -- and stunning auroras -- as it intensifies.
