Solar flares may show predictable warning signs hours before erupting

The observations could help forecast big outbursts in the future

The Solar Dynamics Observatory caught a record-setting solar flare on October 3, 2024.

Like a toddler about to throw a tantrum, the sun might change its face just before it erupts.

Observations of the lead-up to a massive solar flare revealed changes near the solar surface starting three hours before the flash, scientists report in a paper submitted May 8 to arXiv.org.