Heliophysics - Space Weather Topics
Old Solar Cycle Returns
2008 — April 6, 2011
Three months ago, a new solar cycle began. This week, however, the sun surprised onlookers with three big sunspots from the previous solar cycle. Strangely enough, this is perfectly normal.
Backward Sunspot
2006 — April 6, 2011
A strange little sunspot may herald the coming of one of the stormiest solar cycles in decades.
Solar Sentinels
2006 — April 6, 2011
With Astronautsreturning to the Moon, reliable forecasts of Space Weatherare more important than ever. A new proposed mission called "Solar Sentinels" would surround the sun with spacecraft to keep an eye on solar activity.
Long Range Solar Forecast
2006 — April 6, 2011
The Sun's Great Conveyor Belt has slowed to a record-low crawl, which has important implications for future solar activity: Solar Cycle 25 peaking in 2022 could be one of the weakest in centuries.
Solar Storm Warning
2006 — April 6, 2011
This week researchers announced that a storm is coming--the most intense solar maximum in fifty years.
Was Einstein Wrong About Space Travel?
2006 — Sept. 20, 2011
According to Einstein's theory of relativity, space travel is a good way to stay young. But Einstein forgot one thing--the biology of space radiation.
Scientists Predict Big Solar Cycle
2006 — Sept. 20, 2011
Evidence is mounting: the next solar cycle is going to be a big one.
First Light for Hinode
2006 — April 6, 2011
A new space telescope onboard Japan's Hinode spacecraft is beaming back some fantastic images of the sun.
The Transparent Sun
2001 — April 6, 2011
Giant sunspot 9393 is making a rare second transit across the face of the Sun. Its unusual reappearance came as no surprise to scientists who tracked the behemoth by peering right through our star.
Earth's Invisible Magnetic Tail
2001 — April 6, 2011
The first global views of our planet's magnetosphere, captured by NASA's IMAGE spacecraft, reveal a curious plasma tail that stretches toward the Sun.