It\u2019s definitely worth keeping an eye on the Sun (figuratively). <\/strong>Although we don\u2019t recommend looking at the Sun yourself, it\u2019s extremely important that we Earthlings monitor and understand the Sun\u2019s activity. As our star reaches the peak of its activity cycle, the danger of a major solar storm \u2014 which has the potential to cause blackouts, disable satellites, and wreak other havoc \u2014 is now at its highest in over a decade. Learn more about solar storms, what we\u2019re doing to understand them, and how we could mitigate their effects. Pictured: This split image shows the difference between an active Sun during the April 2014 solar maximum (left) and a quiet Sun during the December 2019 solar minimum (right). Image credit: NASA\/SDO.<\/em><\/p>\n Direct your eyes this way! <\/strong>We\u2019ve got a new batch of the coolest space pictures from the past month. This month features human spaceflight, Jupiter\u2019s storms, a Martian transit, and more.<\/p>\n We\u2019re watching NASA\u2019s budget, and so should you. <\/strong>The Biden Administration released its 2025 budget request for NASA on March 11, 2024, and it\u2019s not enough. Planetary Society Chief of Space Policy Casey Dreier explains what the budget includes, what it\u2019s missing, and what you can do to fix it \u2014 including registering for our Day of Action to meet with your representatives in Washington, D.C., and advocate for space.<\/p>\n Let’s talk about the books that put the “science” in “science fiction!” <\/strong>Andrew Fraknoi, an esteemed astronomer, educator, science communicator, and author, recently joined Planetary Society members in an online Q&A to discuss his curated selection of new and classic science fiction tales that adhere to science. Watch a recording of the event here.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"Planetary](\"https:\/\/planetary.s3.amazonaws.com\/assets\/email\/newsletter\/email-tps-logo-small.png\"){kind=logo}
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