Solar Astronomy
Solar Orbiter Captures the First Ever Image of a Magnetic Solar Switchback on the Sun
On March 25, 2022, the ESA/NASA Solar Orbiter spacecraft closed in on the Sun, getting ready to study it during…
Coronal Loops Might Not Be Loops At All
We've all seen the gorgeous images and videos of coronal loops. They're curved magnetic forms that force brightly glowing plasma…
A Colossal Flare Erupted From the Far Side of the Sun
Earlier this week the Sun erupted with a huge explosion, blasting solar particles millions of kilometers into space. The team…
During a Solar Flare, Dark Voids Move Down Towards the Sun. Now We Know Why
Solar flares are complex phenomena. They involve plasma, electromagnetic radiation across all wavelengths, activity in the Sun's atmosphere layers, and…
Parker Solar Probe Flies Through the Sun’s Outer Atmosphere for the First Time
For the first time ever, a spacecraft has flown through the Sun’s outer atmosphere. The Parker Solar Probe passed through…
Parker Solar Probe Captured Images of Venus on its way to the Sun
Last summer, the Parker Solar Probe flew past Venus on its way to fly closer to the Sun. In a…
Solar Orbiter Caught Venus, Earth and Mars in One of its Photos
The Solar Orbiter spacecraft is heading towards the center of the Solar System, with the goal of capturing the closest…
Pictures are coming in from Solar Orbiter
One of the best things about astronomy is that it’s a never-ending supply of awesome visuals. Almost every new mission…
A Sunspot Seen by the Most Powerful Solar Telescope in the World
A new image from the world’s largest solar observatory shows a spectacular, high resolution view of a gigantic sunspot. The…
25 Years of Solar Cycles in One Incredible SOHO Mosaic
For a quarter of a century, the ESA-NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) has been essential in helping scientists understand…