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Articles by Ryan French
A worst-case solar storm could trigger panic buying and public unrest, report warns
Three panel image on the left is a crowd of people, in the center is the sun and on the right is a close up view of people holding phones. Space weather refers to the influence of solar activity on the Earth and the near-Earth environment. Solar flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and solar energetic particles can disrupt satellite operations, damage power grids, and risk the health of aircrew and astronauts. The impacts of space weather fall onto a spectrum.
A worst-case solar storm could knock out satellites, GPS and power grids, report warns
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Scientists outline how a once-in-a-century solar storm could disrupt the technology modern society depends on. | Credit: Created in Canva Pro For many of us, checking the weather is part of daily life. But, in an increasingly technology-dependent world, there is another kind of forecast we can't afford to ignore: space weather.
Will 2026 bring strong auroras? What the sun's recent activity tells us
Three images next to each other, with a close up of the sun on the left, a red and green northern lights display on the top right and a close up of Earth in the bottom right of the image. Activity on the sun is not constant; it varies along a cycle of about 11 years. The peak of this solar cycle — called solar maximum — is when sunspots, solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are the most frequent.
2 newly launched NASA missions will help scientists understand the influence of the Sun, both from up close and afar
NASA's IMAP mission is one of two launching in September 2025. NASA/Princeton University/Patrick McPike On Sept. 24, 2025, NASA launched two new missions to study the influence of the Sun on the solar system, with further missions scheduled for 2026 and beyond. The field investigates the conditions at a wide range of locations on and around the Sun, ranging from its interior, surface and atmosphere, and the constant stream of particles flowing from the Sun – called the the solar wind.
Where is the sun in its current 11-year solar cycle?
The sun's spotty face photographed in July 2009 by NASA's Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO). . The sun is powered by the nuclear fusion of hydrogen to helium, deep within its core. Above the sun's surface, however, a different force dominates: electromagnetism. This force is responsible for sunspots, solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
Most solar eclipse maps have a major flaw. Here's how to ensure you're really in the path of totality
A series of dark circles represent the moon during different phases of a solar eclipse, with the middle circle completely blocking a bright light (the sun) in a dark blue sky. Solar eclipse maps show crisp lines for the path of totality, the narrow strip where a total solar eclipse will be visible. But in reality, the edges of the path are fuzzy, jagged and sometimes wrong by hundreds of meters or more.
Most solar eclipse maps have a major flaw. Here's how to ensure you're really in the path of totality
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Solar eclipse maps show crisp lines for the path of totality, the narrow strip where a total solar eclipse will be visible. But in reality, the edges of the path are fuzzy, jagged and sometimes wrong by hundreds of meters or more. That might not matter if you're standing on the path's centerline, where many eclipse chasers head to experience the longest duration of totality.
Florida Orchestra timpanist retires after nearly 4 decades, joined by son in final performance
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.Generate Key Takeaways A Florida Orchestra timpanist is retiring after four decades, as he is joined by his son for his final performance. John Bannon joined the orchestra in 1988 after serving as timpanist in several orchestras all over North America. Tickets are available on the Florida Orchestra website. ST.
Tampa Bay 24/7: Inside Manatee County’s 911 center
The Brief Inside the Manatee County Emergency Communications Center, a team of telecommunicators works through the night. The 911 center processes about 23,000 emergency calls every month. Dispatchers work 12-hour shifts, and the night shift begins at 7 p.m. BRADENTON, Fla. - While most of the Tampa Bay area is fast asleep, the phones at the Manatee County Emergency Communications Center never stop ringing.
1 year since the Great North American Eclipse — Here's how the 2026 total eclipse will compare
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Has the sun already passed solar maximum?
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Is solar maximum over? Or is there more still to come?. | Credit: Javier Zayas Photography via Getty Images We know that the sun has entered its peak phase of activity, called solar maximum. But are we still in it, or is solar maximum already behind us? Let's see what the data has to say. Although we cannot see it with our bare human eyes, the sun is highly dynamic.
Has the sun already passed solar maximum?
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Is solar maximum over? Or is there more still to come?. | Credit: Javier Zayas Photography via Getty Images We know that the sun has entered its peak phase of activity, called solar maximum. But are we still in it, or is solar maximum already behind us? Let's see what the data has to say. Although we cannot see it with our bare human eyes, the sun is highly dynamic.
Preserving astronomy history: The fight is on to save an iconic Royal Observatory Greenwich site
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Aerial photograph of the Royal Greenwich Observatory at Herstmonceux in 2017. | Credit: David Goddard/Getty Images Near the small town of Herstmonceux in the English county of East Sussex sits the former home of the Royal Greenwich Observatory. The Royal Observatory Greenwich was first built in Greenwich, London, in 1675.
The sun's magnetic field will flip soon. Here's what to expect.
Image of the sun with a bar magnet graphic rotating in front of it . The sun is on the verge of a significant event: a magnetic field reversal. The sun undergoes such a reversal every 11 years, which marks an important stage in the solar cycle. The shift in polarity marks the point at which the sun is halfway through solar maximum, the height of its activity, and the beginning of the shift toward solar minimum. The sun's magnetic field last flipped toward the end of 2013.
7 years ago today, the sun unleashed a record-breaking solar flare
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: NASA/SDO/Goddard As August 2024 set another 20-year high for sunspot numbers on the sun, recent solar flares have yet to top two solar flares from September 2017. One of these flares, which took place seven years ago on Sept. 10 2017, still holds further unbroken records. September 2017 saw the declining phase of the previous solar cycle (Solar Cycle 24), which peaked in 2014.
Are there more solar flares than expected during this solar cycle?
Like the number of sunspots, the occurrence of solar flares follows the approximately 11-year solar cycle. But as the current Solar Cycle 25 approaches its peak, how are the number of solar flares stacking up against the previous, smaller Solar Cycle 24? Due to a change in flare calibration levels from 2020, you'll find two answers to this question online — but only one is correct. Related: The sun's magnetic field is about to flip. Here's what to expect.
The sun's magnetic field is about to flip. Here's what to expect.
The sun is on the verge of a significant event: a magnetic field reversal. This phenomenon happens roughly every 11 years and marks an important stage in the solar cycle. The shift in polarity indicates the halfway point of solar maximum, the height of solar activity, and the beginning of the shift toward solar minimum. The last time the sun's magnetic field flipped was toward the end of 2013. But what causes this switch in polarity, and is it dangerous?
The sun's magnetic field is about to flip. Here's what to expect.
The last time the sun's magnetic field flipped was toward the end of 2013. But what causes this switch in polarity, and is it dangerous? Let's take a deep look at the sun's magnetic field reversal and investigate the effects it could have on Earth. To understand the magnetic field's reversal, first, it's important to be familiar with the solar cycle.
More people Googled 'northern lights' in May 2024 than in any other month in history
The terms 'northern lights', 'space weather' and 'geomagnetic storm' were googled more in May 2024 than in any other month in the search engine's history. With April's total solar eclipse, and Mid-May's widespread aurora show, public interest in the sun has been much higher than usual. As photos and discussions of the eclipse and northern lights flooded social media and secured segments on prime-time news broadcasts, Google search inquiries for these topics shot up significantly.
That giant sunspot that supercharged auroras on Earth? It's back and may amp up the northern lights with June solar storms.
Ryan French May 29, 2024 at 9:00 AM·5 min read Earlier this month, solar active region AR 13664 produced 12 X-class solar flares across six days. The first batch of flares triggered successive Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) — large expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the sun — resulting in a G5 geomagnetic storm at Earth. This category of geomagnetic storm, the first since 2003, caused widespread auroras around the world.
Leveling the Playing Field
Revitalizing High School Golf Programs GOLFTEC, SkyTrak, and Drive Fore The Future have partnered to provide underprivileged high school golf teams across the United States with resources to level the playing field and develop valuable life skills. The first activation took place at West High School in Denver, CO, where golf clubs and a simulator setup from SkyTrak were donated to the golf program.
Patty Wagstaff reflects on her aviation career
Girl power was on full display at Sun N' Fun last week. Patty Wagstaff is a regular performer at one of the country's largest aerospace expos and air shows. Flying in her Extra 300 airplane, Wagstaff wows crowds with snap rolls, tumbles, and even an inverted ribbon cutting with her props. Her over 30 years of precision flying landed her U.S. aerobatics championships. Growing up, Wagstaff always knew she wanted to be a pilot.
We Called Them Angels / Radio Play: A Poetic Love Letter That Soars
Playwright, Ryan Williams French Playwright Ryan Williams French announces the premier of We Called Them Angels/ Radio Play. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, February 14, 2023 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Playwright and artist Ryan Williams French is thrilled to announce the premier of the Radio Play version of his theatrical play "We Called Them Angels." It is an audio recording of a stage play performed with actors and adorned with striking sound design.
The fight of her life: Kim Bartolacci v liver cancer
Christian Bartolacci stood over a 26-foot birdie putt on the 36th and final hole of the North Florida Section Championship at The Club at Hammock Beach. Make it, and he would punch his ticket to the National PGA Professional Championship with a chance to earn a spot into the PGA Championship. Miss it, and the wait to see if his score would hold up would be excruciating. Before he struck the putt, he did something he had never done. He said a prayer.
Ranking the 10 biggest Monday qualifying success stories in recent memory
I often get asked about the players who have changed their careers through a Monday qualifier, so I have compiled a list featuring some of the more recent success stories. A couple of major champions, a winner of the US Amateur, grinders young and old, all with one commonality: One of the most important days of their careers came on a Monday. 10. T.J. VOGEL Monday Q scores: Vogel Monday-qualified eight times in 2018. In those eight starts, he shot a 63, two 64s, two 65s and three 66s.
Golfer strips down and risks life and limb to play his wayward tee shot
A swim across an alligator-infested canal, a lost pair of shorts and a foot gushing blood … last Monday at the Fountains December Classic, an event on the Minor League Golf Tour, was just another day in the life of mini-tour player Mason Carmel. The fourth hole at West Course at Fountains Country Club in Lake Worth, Florida, is a 387-yard straight-away par 4. An irrigation canal runs all the way up the right side.
Sunday Contenders for June 27
Chad Ramey -13 Ben Kohles -12 Brady Schnell -12 Jim Knous -12 Taylor Moore -11 Spencer Levin -11 Brett Stegmaier -11 Chad Ramey and Ben Kohles locked in on a Sunday run Chad Ramey Age: 28 Turned Pro: 2014 College: Mississippi State He’s a great example of why I prefer to watch the Korn Ferry Tour. Ramey turned pro seven years ago and toiled on the mini-tours for a bit.
Planes buses and automobiles provides a lens into the life of a mini-tour player, it is important to know of all of your travel options. Alistair Docherty shared his story with The Fire Pit Collective.
A huge favor from a near-stranger, two standby flights, a plane that went in the opposite direction of his final destination, an overnight stay in Boston, a red-eye flight for his caddie, a bus ride, being picked up by the caddie’s dad at a bus station, borrowing the car of the caddie’s mom, and finally a 100-mile drive to the course: Alistair Docherty’s trip from Athens, Ga., to Falmouth, Maine, is a great example of what life with conditional status can be like.
Monday Qualifiers, The #1 source for the good the bad and the ugly in golf
Andrew Svoboda last had full PGA Tour status in 2015 and has had only one start on Tour since then. He survived a three-hole playoff to get into the Travelers Championship. The final two players in the playoff, Svoboda and recent college graduate Ryan Davis, are exactly why I love Monday qualifiers. Davis has never played an event on any of the PGA sanctioned tours. Svoboda is 41, has played 77 PGA Tour events and is a three-time Korn Ferry Tour winner.
Let's get ready to rumble, golf fans. You never know what will happen at a Monday
UPDATE: The Fire Pit Collective has been in contact with the Newton, KS Police Department regarding this story. Their Facebook post regarding this incident has been added to this story. (6/15/21 12:47pm.) The world of Monday qualifying for Korn Ferry Tour events is normally pretty mild. I wasn’t expecting much action today and then my phone rang around 1 o’clock. The person on the other end, who shall remain anonymous, said, “This is going to be a first, even for you.” He was not wrong.
U.S. Open qualifiers come from all over the world. Get to know the players in the 2021 U.S. Open you might not know. All of these players made it through U.S. Open Qualifiers to make it to Torrey Pines.
The Wiz Kids Sahith Theegala and Pierceson Coody Sahith Theegala Age: 23 College: Pepperdine Turned professional: 2020 Skinny: A future star. It won’t be long until you see him on Tour. Like many U.S. Open qualifiers, he woke up early on Monday, drove from Columbus to Springfield Country Club, a course he had never seen, and got through. He has also Monday qualified three times this year on KFT. A three-time All-America, he holds the career scoring record at Pepperdine.
U.S. Open qualifiers come from all over the world. Get to know the players in the 2021 U.S. Open you might not know. All of these players made it through U.S. Open Qualifiers to make it to Torrey Pines.
The Wiz Kids Sahith Theegala and Pierceson Coody Sahith Theegala Age: 23 College: Pepperdine Turned professional: 2020 Skinny: A future star. It won’t be long until you see him on Tour. Like many U.S. Open qualifiers, he woke up early on Monday, drove from Columbus to Springfield Country Club, a course he had never seen, and got through. He has also Monday qualified three times this year on KFT. A three-time All-America, he holds the career scoring record at Pepperdine.
The Good Bad and Ugly from the longest day in golf- 2021 U.S. Open Qualifying
The Ugly The pin placement at the par-4 fourth hole at the Springfield site was must-watch. It was perched on a small shelf on the ledge of a false front that if you missed the green, would run 30 yards down the fairway. In a three-group stretch I saw players make an 8, a 9 and a 10. All three were above the hole and putted off the green, leaving themselves an impossible chip back. Oklahoma standout Quade Cummins finished 6 over for the day.
My week caddying for Mark Baldwin
He executed a delicate chip down the hill very well, but the 8-foot par putt slid by. It was a silent walk to the next tee. The rain was steady, it was still blowing like crazy and it was cold. The stress was hanging over us. The word “cut” is never spoken; we both tried to pretend like we didn’t just look at the scoreboard and know we were one off the cut line. But we knew. Mark was in full grind mode. On the next hole, a drive in the rough and another missed green left him with another delicate chip.
The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly from a Monday
Time for the weekly recap in what happened in this weeks Monday Qualifiers Korn Ferry Tour The Good: Joe Zawarski’s first start on any sanctioned PGA tour is going to be in his hometown, on the course where he used to caddie, the Glen Club. Zawarski did not take golf seriously until he was 16 but then dug in full-force. He didn’t play college golf but competed in local amateur events in the Chicago area. During that time he caddied at the Glen Club.
Sunday Contenders
Leaderboard: Cameron Young -15 Dawie van der Walt -13 Lorens Chan -12 Nick Hardy -12 Vince India -12 Cameron Young– Became a Korn Ferry member via a single Monday qualifier last year. Finished T11 after Monday qualifying into Pinnacle Bank Open in August. That earned him a spot into the following week where he finished T14. The T14 finish again earning him a spot into the next week and another top-10.
Monday qualifiers: AT&T Byron Nelson
MONDAY QUALIFIERS M.J. Daffue carded three eagles in his round to Monday qualify for the AT&T Byron Nelson. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) M.J. Daffue continued his success in Monday qualifiers, successfully earning a spot in his fifth PGA TOUR start of the season. Daffue shot a 64 on Monday that included three eagles. He has made the cut in two of his five PGA TOUR starts this season (he also received one sponsor exemption).
The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly from a Monday
Despite a deep slump that began three years ago, Smylie Kaufman is still grinding. He missed the playoff by one stroke but I followed him for a few holes and his ball-striking was impressive, maybe a sign that some life is returning to his game. The 2016 Shriners champion played in the final group on Sunday at that year’s Masters alongside his pal Jordan Spieth but he has made just one cut on the PGA Tour since 2019.
Monday qualifiers: Wells Fargo Championship
MONDAY QUALIFIERS Seamus Power has three made cuts and a top-25 finish so far this season. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images) Here is the look at the four players who Monday qualified for the Wells Fargo Championship. Weather caused problems at the qualifier, including a tornado warning. It concluded with a 2-for-1 playoff in near-dark. Patrick Cover made a par on the first playoff hole to defeat Danny Guise.
The Enduring Passion of the Maestro of Mondays
A few weeks before Jackson’s surgery, I caddied in a Monday qualifier for C.D. Hockersmith, a friend I had lopped for a few times. I filled him in on Jackson and told him I was considering starting a Twitter account where I posted links to Monday qualifiers. C.D. gave me the encouragement I needed. Jacks’ surgery went well, and after some time in the hospital he came home to recover. I started the Twitter account to give me something adult to do. I had zero expectations and my handle proves that.
Monday qualifiers: Valspar Championship
This week’s qualifier featured another emotional Monday moment, as Michael Visacki’s tearful phone call to his father went viral. Visacki, 27, holed a 20-footer to qualify for his first PGA TOUR event. The Central Florida alum has 37 wins on the West Florida Pro Golf Tour alone and is considered one of the best mini-tour talents in the country. Now he’ll have his chance to prove himself against the best players in the world at this week’s Valspar Championship.
Monday qualifiers: Valero Texas Open
MONDAY QUALIFIERS Sam Fidone shot 66 to qualify for his second PGA TOUR event of the season. (Enrique Berardi/Getty Images) Here is a look at the four players who qualified for the Valero Texas Open. The group includes a former Korn Ferry Tour Player of the Year who now works as a driving range pro, Patrick Rodgers’ former caddie and college teammate and a Texas native who played college golf with Bryson DeChambeau. The qualifier was held at Club at Comanche Trail in Kerrville, Texas.
Monday qualifiers: Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship
Here is a look at the four players who qualified for the Corales Puntacana Resort and Club Championship. There was a 10-player playoff for the last spot. All 10 players parred the first playoff hole, before play was called for darkness. In the morning Eric Cole prevailed on the sixth playoff hole.
Monday Qualifiers: Puerto Rico Open
Here is a look at the four players who Monday-qualified for the Puerto Rico Open. The qualifier was held in West Palm Beach, Florida, and the last spot was decided by a three-for-one playoff.
Monday Qualifiers: Waste Management Phoenix Open
Highlights Hardy’s clutch putts to qualify for the Waste Management Phoenix Open The Waste Management Phoenix Open is one of the highlights of the Monday qualifying calendar. With only 132 players in the WMPO field, the qualifier is full of PGA TOUR members, collegiate standouts, former TOUR winners and Presidents Cup participants. Some 150 players competed for three spots in this week’s PGA TOUR stop, ensuring a dramatic finish.
Monday qualifiers: Farmers Insurance Open
Here is a look at the four players who Monday qualified for the Farmers Insurance Open in Murrieta, California. The last two spots were decided in a five-man playoff. QUALIFIERS Andres Gonzales (69) Age: 37 College: UNLV Turned pro: 2006 PGA TOUR starts: 128 PGA TOUR earnings: $2.5 Million Twitter: @Andres_Gonzales Notes: This is his second straight successful Monday qualifier after getting through at the Sony Open, where he missed the cut despite a second-round 67.
Monday Qualifiers: Sony Open in Hawaii
MJ Daffue finished T12 at the Sanderson Farms Championship this past fall. (Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) Here is a look at the four players who Monday qualified for the Sony Open in Hawaii. The last spot was decided in a three-man playoff.
Monday Qualifiers: Mayakoba Golf Classic presented by UNIFIN
Akshay Bhatia finished T9 at the Safeway Open in September. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) Here is a look at the four players who qualified for the Mayakoba Golf Classic presented by UNIFIN. The last spot was decided in a 9-for-1 playoff. The four qualifiers include 18-year-old Akshay Bhatia, who earlier this season finished T9 at the Safeway Open. He was the youngest player to finish in the top 10 in a PGA TOUR event since Justin Rose at the 1998 Open Championship.
Monday Qualifiers: The RSM Classic
Joey Garber has made 13 of 21 cuts on the Korn Ferry Tour this year. (Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) Here’s a look at the four players who qualified for The RSM Classic. The final two spots were decided in a four-person playoff. The playoff for the last spot lasted 10 holes.
Monday qualifiers: Vivint Houston Open
Erik Barnes is in the field this week at the Vivint Houston Open. (Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) Here is a look at the four players who qualified for the Vivint Houston Open. The last two spots were decided in a four-player playoff. QUALIFIERS Erik Barnes (63) Age: 33 College: Austin Peay Turned pro: 2011 PGA TOUR starts: 0 Twitter: @ebarnesgolf10 Q&A PGATOUR.COM: Shooting 63 to earn a spot in your first PGA TOUR event, where does this rank among the competitive rounds you have played?
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