Solar Activity

Image of the earth with the sun in the background

The National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) continuously monitors the conditions on the Sun and in the space environment around the Earth, using measurements collected by instruments on satellites operated by NESDIS and partners like NASA as well as ground-based instruments operated by USAF, USGS, and international partners. 

The term “space weather” generally refers to conditions resulting from solar activity that can potentially affect Earth, our atmosphere, and the near-Earth space environment.

For the latest solar activity outlooks, forecasts, and Alerts, Watches and Warnings, please go to the National Weather Service Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC).

 

Common Types

Image of the sun and a graph next to it.
Sunspots and the Solar Cycle
View Articles Sunspots and the Solar Cycle
A telescopic image of the Sun zoomed to fill the screen. Colored a false green to identify the image as taken at a wavelength of 94 Angstroms to show 6 million degree plasma from the solar corona. Mottled with bright spots and dark regions, a bright spot just right of center stands out. This spot is the location of a solar flare which heats coronal plasma to millions of degrees revealing the magnetic field loops responsible for the solar flare.
Solar Flares
Read about solar flares Solar Flares
Image of a solar flare on the sun
Solar Wind, Geomagnetic Storms, and Coronal Mass Ejections
Mass ejections and more Solar Wind, Geomagnetic Storms, and Coronal Mass Ejections

Observing the Sun

Six images show the sun in each of SUVI's six wavelengths.
SUVI Instrument On Board NOAA's GOES-16 Sends First Solar Images
More on SUVI SUVI Instrument On Board NOAA's GOES-16 Sends First Solar Images
GOES SUVI 171 Angstrom
NOAA GOES East Satellite Captures Full Rotation of the Sun!
The Sun's Rotation NOAA GOES East Satellite Captures Full Rotation of the Sun!

For the latest solar activity outlooks, forecasts, and Alerts, Watches and Warnings, please go to the National Weather Service Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC).

Space Weather Prediction Center Space Weather Prediction Center

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