The sun
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![A full-disk view of the sun as it unleashed a major X1.1 class solar flare from an active sunspot cluster on April 17, 2022. This view was taken by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CJzZ684C7HWKqvyWNMBLUE-320-80.jpg)
India's Chandrayaan-2 moon orbiter catalogs tons of mysterious solar flares
By Robert Lea published
Over the course of 3 years, Chandrayaan-2 observed thousands of mysterious, slow-building, ultra-hot solar flares as they erupted from the sun.
![the solar flare appears as a large fiery filament hurled out from the sun.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nrKht6rmusKQozant5X3uF-320-80.jpg)
Powerful solar flare unleashes colossal plasma plume, sparks radio blackouts across South Pacific (video)
By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated
Watch the moment a huge plasma plume is hurled out from the sun during a powerful solar flare eruption, causing widespread radio blackouts in the South Pacific.
![gif animation showing a large fiery eruption from the sun, it launches up into a fiery arch shape.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RnYoiqsDo34tf5xU3jmNcJ-320-80.gif)
Solar maximum is coming, but we won't know it happened until 7 months after it's over
By Daisy Dobrijevic published
Solar maximum could occur as early as mid-2024 but scientists will have to wait seven months after it has occurred to be able to declare it has taken place. Why?
![Faint loops of plasma on the sun](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WKdFDGPWs5rofFkkcVzMfT-320-80.jpg)
Ghostly plasma loops linger on the sun after massive solar explosion (photos)
By Harry Baker published
A photographer recently snapped an incredibly detailed photo of gigantic, ghostly plasma loops towering above the sun's fiery surface after a powerful solar flare exploded from the sun.
![a close-up image of the sun showing a giant tower of fiery plasma erupting from its surface](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/32F5xcFUscCvSApaPDP7XU-320-80.jpg)
Watch the sun spew out a giant eruption of plasma in incredible footage (video)
By Miguel Claro published
On Feb. 22, 2022, a gigantic solar prominence formed on the surface of the sun, blasting a large coronal mass ejection (CME) into space.
![an illustration of the solar system showing the orbits of the planets around the sun](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qJMGV4dHq52sz2Z6RDoT9G-320-80.jpg)
Does the sun move in the solar system?
By Robert Lea published
Space mysteries We know the sun is currently zooming through space, but does it move within our solar system?
![Looped video footage of two solar flares exploding from different parts f the sun at the same time](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nNnouajqSWkj3AT7HAshiX-320-80.gif)
Near-simultaneous solar flares explode from opposite sides of the sun in extremely rare event
By Harry Baker published
A pair of linked solar flares recently exploded near-simultaneously from sunspots on different hemispheres of our home star, triggering radio blackouts on Earth.
![Perihelion is when there is the shortest distance between Earth and the sun.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/auLSHJN95e23JEws83g3Za-320-80.jpg)
Perihelion: What is it and when does it occur?
By Tereza Pultarova last updated
Reference Perihelion is the point at which an orbiting body is closest to the sun. The word comes from Greek and literally means around (peri) the sun (helios).
![An image of the sun in ultraviolet showing a solar flare that erupted on new Year's Eve and is about to rock Earth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pRPcV6JnoZcobG5k8jU8M9-320-80.png)
Coronal mass ejection from colossal New Year's Eve solar flare will strike Earth today
By Robert Lea published
A coronal mass ejection from an X-5 class flare that erupted on New Year's Eve, the strongest flare of solar cycle 25, will likely trigger geomagnetic storms when it hits Earth today (Jan. 2).
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