Solar System
Explore Solar System
Latest about Solar System
![a close-up of the fuzzy-looking surface of the sun shows a bright explosion of light on its rightmost edge](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/67rtuwmbp2ABxQcFvSENkS-320-80.jpg)
Sun blasts out 2nd X-class flare this week, triggers more radio blackouts (video)
By Meredith Garofalo published
Sunspot region AR 3738 fired off an X1.9 flare as it exited the sun's western limb on July 16, 2024 and caused radio blackouts over much of Africa, Europe, and parts of North and South America.
![Earth is in the center of this image surrounded by tons of blue dots in a relatively disk-like shape that represent satellites. Toward the right of the screen, a dot is traced with a yellow line as it just barely enters the satellite disk while flying past Earth.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZN2MLRSc92EHh25Y2W5ebm-320-80.gif)
Asteroid Apophis will visit Earth in 2029, and this European satellite will be along for the ride
By Keith Cooper published
As Apophis passes closer to Earth than geosynchronous satellites in April 2029, the asteroid will hopefully be tracked by a new ESA mission called Ramses.
![solar flare erupting from the surface of the sun in a bright flash of light.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TxAN2w6pAXN9ieeQq7ZFVf-320-80.jpg)
Sun unleashes powerful X-class solar flare triggering radio blackouts over Australia, Southeast Asia and Japan (video)
By Daisy Dobrijevic published
Watch a powerful X-class solar flare erupt from the sun's surface on July 13 and find out how it affected Earth.
![The heliosphere blocks many cosmic rays, shown as bright streaks in this animated image, from reaching the planets of our solar system.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gzurBvmsVfsxFaMYZbvArR-320-80.jpg)
Scientists call the region of space influenced by the sun the heliosphere – but without an interstellar probe, they don't know much about its shape
By Sarah A. Spitzer published
The sun warms the Earth, making it habitable for people and animals. But that's not all it does, and it affects a much larger area of space.
![4 panel image showing from left to right, flooding, hurricane, wildfires and lightning](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vRihgWhFeW9qsLhMvQZQY-320-80.jpg)
Why is Earth's weather getting weirder?
By Daisy Dobrijevic published
We take a look at the apparent uptick in weird weather events and discuss the possible causes with leading climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe.
![a swirling circle of clouds as seen from space](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eXKEx8iQKn28uM559VCJEW-320-80.jpg)
Hurricane Beryl sets multiple records as 1st major storm of 2024 Atlantic season (video)
By Meredith Garofalo published
What started as a tropical wave off the coast of Africa has now set multiple records and claimed the spot as the first hurricane to develop during the 2024 Atlantic season.
![Thompson Fire in Oroville County, California on July 2, 2024.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CqmR7Z5kdBmomu3DKJarC4-320-80.jpg)
'The last 12 months have broken records like never before': Earth exceeds 1.5 C warming every month for entire year
By Ben Turner published
Every month has broken the temperature record of the previous for the past 12 months, and the signs of climate breakdown are already here, a new analysis shows.
![a ball of grey boulders and rocks seen against the blackness of space](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ThWMPASDNMXYUdGid9AjSJ-320-80.jpg)
'Dark comets' may have given Earth its water long ago
By Keith Cooper published
'Dark comets,' which have no visible tail, could also explain the strange behavior of the interstellar object 'Oumuamua.
Get the Space.com Newsletter
Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!