Sun Coverage

Happy perihelion!

Earth's orbit isn't quite round. Perihelion, the point where it is closest to the Sun comes around January 4 each year.

Happy Aphelion Day: Earth is farthest from the Sun today

Earth is at aphelion, the furthest point from the Sun in its not-quite-circular orbit, on July 4, 2022. On January 4 we'll be 3.1 million miles closer at perihelion.

Tony Rice, NASA Ambassador

Solar Orbiter swings by the sun to unravel its mysteries

The Solar Orbiter mission will make its closest flyby of the sun Saturday since launching in February 2020.

By Ashley Strickland, CNN

Solar flare could make aurora visible across the northern U.S.

If you find yourself out this evening look north for a faint green cast to the sky.

Tony Rice, NASA Ambassador

It's aphelion day, the Sun is at its farthest

While it may seem odd that the Sun is at its farthest during the summer, that distance has relatively little impact on temperatures.

Tony Rice, NASA Ambassador

Summer Solstice Brings a Day of the Sun Working Overtime

There are 24 hours in a day for everyone, but on the summer solstice the day is harder on some than on others.

Jesus Jiménez, New York Times

Solar flares and orbital changes impact on our climate

A question about solar flares and changing Earth's orbit and what role they might play in climate change from a congressman during a House committee meeting have prompted confusion.

Tony Rice, NASA Ambassador

Solar Eclipse 2021: how to see the 'Ring of Fire' eclipse in June

The moon will slide right in front of the sun on June 10, 2021, causing an annular solar eclipse.

Aurora hopes dashed by weaker-than-expected solar storm

Auroral activity was forecasted to be visible as far south as North Carolina Thursday night, the result of a solar storm earlier in the week.

Tony Rice, NASA Ambassador

Sunspot count comparison of solar maximum in 2014 and minimum in 2020

Researchers track sunspots using the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) aboard NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) focuses on the movement and magnetic properties of the sun's surface . Image: SDO/NASA, Rice

Comparison of activity in the Sun's atmosphere between solar maximum to solar minimum

The Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) aboard NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) images the Sun's atmosphere in several wavelengths, here the 191 Angstrom wavelength emitted by iron-9 at more than 1 million degrees is shown. Image: SDO/NASA

Activity in the Sun's atmosphere increases at solar maximum

Looking at the Sun's atmosphere in wavelengths emitted by iron-9 molecules using NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), activity is at its greatest near solar maximum when sunspot counts are highest. Image: SDO/NASA, Rice

Scientists reveal closest images of the sun

A European and NASA spacecraft has snapped the closest pictures ever taken of the sun, revealing countless little "campfires" flaring everywhere.

Largest solar flare since 2017 may indicate renewed solar activity

Huge solar flares and the sunspots that they emanate from could be an indicator that the Sun has reached a minimum in its 11-year cycle.

Tony Rice, NASA Ambassador

More sunny weather in store Sunday and Monday before rain moves in Tuesday

We'll have a nice rest of the weekend but be on the lookout for showers in the forecast on Tuesday.

White House: Heat, sunlight cut coronavirus life

The Trump administration said Thursday heat, light and humidity may speed up the killing of the coronavirus.

Duke researcher looks at how solar storms affect whales' natural GPS

Whales are stranding themselves and scientists want to know why. A Duke Ph.D. candidate published a study that suggests radio noise from solar storms may blind whales' natural magnetoreceptors causing them to steer off course.

Tony Rice, WRAL contributor/NASA ambassador

See the rare transit of Mercury on Monday

On Monday, Nov. 11, Mercury will pass in front of the Sun. Unlike solar eclipses which are measured in minutes, transits of inner planets like Mercury are measured in hours, so there will be plenty of time to experience this.

Tony Rice, WRAL contributor/NASA ambassador

With Hurricane Dorian gone, a great weekend ahead for the Triangle

Now that Hurricane Dorian's winds and rain are leaving our state, we can now look forward to what's shaping up to be a great weekend.

How to stay sun safe this season

The sun gives humans a lot of benefits, but exposure to ultraviolet rays is the most common cause of skin cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Protection has tips on how to enjoy the sunshine while protecting your skin.

Social media 'stars' join NASA for launch of latest mssion

I spent the wee hours of last weekend with an interesting group of people awaiting the launch of the Parker Solar Probe. This NASA Social event invited about 25 people from all walks of life for one of the best seats for the launch, to hear from engineers and scientists that put the mission together and to experience an unparalleled behind-the-scenes tour of the Kennedy Space Center.

Tony Rice, WRAL contributor/NASA Ambassador

Mission to the sun lifts off Saturday morning

The Parker Solar Probe is set to launch Saturday before dawn, and I'll be there to share it with you.

Tony Rice, WRAL contributor/NASA Ambassador