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May 23, 2013 06:07 PM EDT

Complex Magnetic Field Dynamics of Sun Uncovered

Researchers at the Universities of Leeds and Chicago have uncovered an important mechanism behind the generation of astrophysical magnetic fields such as that of the Sun.

Artist's rendering of CoRoT Sol 1 and a chronology of the Sun's evolution based on data from the Subaru Telescope and the CoRoT space mission.

May 21, 2013 11:33 PM EDT

The Future of Our Sun

A newly discovered solar twin star allows astronomers to refine the expected development path of our Sun. The time that remains until the Sun will become too hot for liquid water on Earth will be about 2 billion years, the researchers say.

May 20, 2013 12:05 PM EDT

Sunscreen SPF Ratings are Misleading: How to Choose Your Sun Protection

As people hit the beach and the outdoors this summer, the sun will be brighter than ever--and some SPF ratings for sunscreen may be misleading.

NASA Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) satellite

Apr 25, 2013 03:16 PM EDT

Sun Observing IRIS Satellite to Launch in May, Crucial for Better Space Weather Forecasts

Space weather, caused by the extremely energetic dynamics of the enormous fusion fire of our Sun, can have big effects on our technological infrastructure -- mostly on satellites orbiting around Earth, but in extreme cases even on the electrical and electronical infrastructure on the planet's surfac...

Apr 07, 2013 01:44 PM EDT

New Space Weather Center Opened by ESA in Brussels

This week, ESA opened a new Space Weather Coordination Centre to gather up-to-date information on our Sun. It is the first such data coordination centre opened under the Agency's Space Situational Awareness Programme.

Feb 20, 2013 05:06 PM EST

Next-Door Star Alpha Centauri A With Same Cool Phenomenon as Sun

The star Alpha Centauri A in the closest neighboring star system, already regarded a twin of our own sun, was found to have the same strange cool layer in it's atmosphere as well by ESA’s Herschel space observatory. It is the first time this has been seen in a star beyond our own Sun, but that is ...

Feb 15, 2013 03:15 PM EST

Sun's Surface Capture Just Before Massive CME Explosion

A new refined image of magnetic loops on the sun's surface, captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) was released by the Space Agency. It has been processed to highlight the edges of each loop to make the structure more clear.

Jan 24, 2013 08:49 AM EST

NASA Scope Reveals Magnetic 'Braids' in Sun's Corona; Hot and Hotter

There’s a reason why the sun is so hot—-braids. Scientists have recently found that powerful magnetic waves moving from below the sun’s surface in the form of “braids” generate tremendous amount of heat.

Jan 04, 2013 07:17 PM EST

Solar eruption on NYE [NASA Image of the day]

While it was New Year's Eve on Earth, the NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this solar eruption, a truly gigantic and magnificent kind of firework. The flare shot about 260,000 kilometers out from the Sun. While it was a rather small eruption, it corresponds to 20 times the size of Earth with...