The sun
Latest about The sun
![a person looking at the sun while standing next to a telescope](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HmyY9rKUk3A7q9FzyiDeqe-320-80.jpg)
How to observe the sun safely (and what to look for)
By Jamie Carter last updated
Reference The sun is a great skywatching target but you should NEVER look at it without protection. Here we explain how to view the sun safely and what to look out for.
![(Left) AR3590 the largest sunspot of the current solar cycle (Right) AR3590 explodes with powerful solar flares](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AYtZLe22XqgY7MAwVoVxBo-320-80.png)
Put on your eclipse glasses and look up to see the biggest sunspot in years before it disappears from view
By Robert Lea published
The AR3590 sunspot region is the largest of the solar cycle and is responsible for the most powerful solar flare seen since 2017.
![A large plume of plasma stick out from the sun's south pole](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tYB4aMZS8KMEWiXy5rJraa-320-80.jpg)
'A wonderful spectacle': Photographer snaps rare solar eruption as 'magnetic noose' strangles the sun's south pole
By Harry Baker published
A recent solar flare unleashed a massive plasma plume from the sun's south pole, where these stellar eruptions rarely happen. The unusual phenomenon is a sign of the impending solar maximum.
![NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of an X6.3-class solar flare on Feb. 22 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UgsMELTAtb9KuPnYCirNLG-320-80.png)
Sun erupts with most powerful solar flare since 2017 amid explosive week (video)
By Robert Lea published
The sun has blasted out its most powerful flare of the current solar cycle. The X6.3 solar flare peaked in the afternoon on Thursday (Feb. 22) and is the most powerful flare since 2017.
![two bright flashes of light on the surface of the sun](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yFv6JF3ayh6TPFwYuaT86c-320-80.jpg)
Powerful twin solar flares erupt from sun as cell phone outages spike across US (video)
By Brett Tingley published
Tens of thousands of outages were reported by major cellular carriers throughout the United States after a pair of powerful solar flares erupted from the sun on Feb. 21 and Feb. 22.
![a photograph of the sun showing swirling formations of fire on its surface](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SWPYzofmkP5zpmZE8ncp8U-320-80.jpg)
See the sun's surface rage as solar maximum approaches (photo)
By Samantha Mathewson published
Photos by the European Space Agency's Solar Orbiter probe show activity ramping up on the sun's surface as it approaches solar maximum this year.
![a dark background with a base of orange-hued clouds. in front, the image of a magazine showing an eclipse on the cover, on the right, smaller open magazines show people in sunglasses. the words 'SPACE COM ECLIPSES' are large.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QJCaSCBUJ87ryHqBrBN3Ha-320-80.png)
Get ready for the 2024 total solar eclipse with Space.com with our 'Eclipses' bookazine
By Robert Lea published
Grab a copy of Space.com's 2024 solar eclipse edition and a pair of solar eclipse glasses to get ready for April's exciting event.
![X-flare eruption on Feb 9.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LkWtzuxAKZSeuhn3tim4JB-320-80.gif)
Watch a massive X-class solar flare explode from the sun on Feb. 9 (video)
By Daisy Dobrijevic published
The sun has just released a monstrous X-class solar flare in its most powerful eruption this year. Watch it erupt into space in an explosive outburst.
![gif animation showing the giant sunspot coming into view.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PshTrAJ9Afp9toFALM82CV-320-80.gif)
'Martian' sunspot 15 times wider than Earth could soon bombard us with solar flares (photo & video)
By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated
A sunspot so big it was seen from the surface of Mars last week has now turned to face Earth, bringing an increased chance of unsettled space weather with Earth in the firing line.
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