Stories by Monica Bobra

It can lead to useful technology, but the real reason is that it inspires people—and your representatives in Congress need to hear that

The largest solar flare in more than a decade could spark a spectacular auroral display here on Earth

Mercury passes between Earth and the Sun just 13 times a century, on average—and it's just happened again.

A couple of months ago, the sun sported the largest sunspot we've seen in the last 24 years. This monstrous spot, visible to the naked eye (that is, without magnification, but with protective eyewear of course), launched more than 100 flares.

Explore an interactive graphic showing where on the sun flares of different classes have been sighted over the years