The Sun | Astronomy.com https://www.astronomy.com/observing/the-sun/ Astronomy news, photos, observing events, and space missions. Wed, 16 Oct 2024 15:11:38 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.4 https://www.astronomy.com/uploads/2024/10/cropped-favicon-32x32.jpg The Sun | Astronomy.com https://www.astronomy.com/observing/the-sun/ 32 32 The Sun has reached solar maximum, NASA and NOAA scientists say https://www.astronomy.com/observing/the-sun-has-reached-solar-maximum-nasa-and-noaa-scientists-say/ Wed, 16 Oct 2024 15:11:37 +0000 https://www.astronomy.com/?p=153896// In a teleconference Oct. 15, representatives from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that the Sun has reached the peak level in its current cycle of activity, the 25th for which humans have kept detailed records. The 25th cycle has been far more active than the previous one, especially this year,Continue reading "The Sun has reached solar maximum, NASA and NOAA scientists say"

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]]> Eclipse success on Easter Island https://www.astronomy.com/observing/eclipse-success-on-easter-island/ Thu, 03 Oct 2024 02:57:48 +0000 https://www.astronomy.com/?p=153244// Your editor is in the midst of a weeklong trip to a very remote place. A few days ago I departed Tucson and traveled to Santiago, Chile, where I met about 20 enthusiastic people who were charged up to see the annular eclipse that occurred today. We spent two days touring the marvels of Santiago,Continue reading "Eclipse success on Easter Island"

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]]> An annular solar eclipse: This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher https://www.astronomy.com/observing/an-annular-solar-eclipse-this-week-in-astronomy-with-dave-eicher/ Mon, 30 Sep 2024 17:00:31 +0000 https://www.astronomy.com/?p=153116// In this episode, Dave Eicher invites you to observe the annular eclipse that will occur Oct. 2. Annular eclipses occur when the Sun, the Moon, and Earth line up, in that order. But in this case, the Moon is either too far from Earth (so it appears smaller) or Earth is too close to theContinue reading "An annular solar eclipse: This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher"

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]]> Get set for an eclipse on Easter Island https://www.astronomy.com/observing/get-set-for-an-eclipse-on-easter-island/ Fri, 27 Sep 2024 18:00:53 +0000 https://www.astronomy.com/?p=153009// You may not know it, but we’re on the cusp of another solar eclipse. Next Wednesday, October 2, an annular eclipse will take place.  Of course, 71 percent of our planet’s surface consists of oceans, and this eclipse will be one that barely touches land. It will be visible entirely from the Pacific Ocean withContinue reading "Get set for an eclipse on Easter Island"

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]]> The Moon meets Venus: This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher https://www.astronomy.com/observing/the-moon-meets-venus-this-week-in-astronomy-with-dave-eicher/ Mon, 23 Sep 2024 14:45:20 +0000 https://www.astronomy.com/?p=152597// In this episode, Dave Eicher describes the upcoming conjunction of two bright objects in the evening sky. On October 5th, you’ll see a great pairing of the crescent Moon and Venus very close together in the west. Make sure to get out there right after sunset and look from a location with a clear westernContinue reading "The Moon meets Venus: This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher"

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]]> The greatest eclipse for the rest of our lives https://www.astronomy.com/observing/the-greatest-eclipse-for-the-rest-of-our-lives/ Sat, 07 Sep 2024 10:00:00 +0000 https://www.astronomy.com/?p=151966// I’ve been a rabid astronomy enthusiast for 48 years, and rarely have I been as juiced up for an observational event as I am for the eclipse coming in three years. On August 2, 2027, a total solar eclipse will make its mark from the eastern Atlantic Ocean across the Strait of Gibraltar, between SpainContinue reading "The greatest eclipse for the rest of our lives"

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]]> A look back: The Great North American Eclipse delivers https://www.astronomy.com/observing/a-look-back-the-great-north-american-eclipse-delivers/ Wed, 04 Sep 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://www.astronomy.com/?p=151364// This was the big one. Nearly seven years after totality crisscrossed the U.S. in August 2017, the Moon once again slipped in front of the Sun in the skies above North America on April 8, 2024. Making landfall in Mexico, the Moon’s shadow swept across the continent, through the heart of the U.S. into NewContinue reading "A look back: The Great North American Eclipse delivers"

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]]> Solar eclipse: Plan for the next big one in North America https://www.astronomy.com/observing/solar-eclipse-20-of-the-best-places-to-see-2045-eclipse/ Mon, 01 Jul 2024 13:10:53 +0000 https://www.astronomy.com/?p=148088// The total solar eclipse set to occur August 12, 2045, will dazzle everyone who views it. And with a maximum duration of totality above 6 minutes, it will be well worth the effort to travel to where conditions are best. However, potential observers might have some questions. Where exactly in the U.S. will totality beContinue reading "Solar eclipse: Plan for the next big one in North America"

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]]> Will the Sun always shine through Stonehenge on the solstice? https://www.astronomy.com/observing/will-sun-always-shine-through-stonehenge-solstice/ Tue, 11 Jun 2024 12:56:40 +0000 https://www.astronomy.com/?p=147367// Ancient archaeological sites (like Stonehenge) were constructed so that the Sun would shine through a certain opening on some special day (typically a solstice). Wouldn’t Earth’s precession change the geometry of the situation over the years? Michael C. WestBethesda, Maryland If you are lucky enough to stand in the center of Stonehenge on the summerContinue reading "Will the Sun always shine through Stonehenge on the solstice?"

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]]> Your best pictures of this past weekend’s aurorae https://www.astronomy.com/observing/your-best-pictures-of-this-past-weekends-aurorae/ Thu, 16 May 2024 07:00:43 +0000 https://www.astronomy.com/?p=145552// The geomagnetic storm that struck Earth on May 10 was the strongest in 21 years — exceeding forecasts and bringing the spectacle of the aurora borealis south (and the aurora australis north) to millions of people who had the chance to see it for the first time. A lot has changed since 2003, the lastContinue reading "Your best pictures of this past weekend’s aurorae"

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