Sounds generated deep in the fiery depths of the Sun make Earth, its atmosphere, and even its magnetic field ring like many cosmic bells.
According to researchers on the Ulysses mission, there are distinct tones that are thought to be generated by energy and pressure waves in the Sun. Now, researchers have identified these same tones in the Earth's seismic data, and even in induced voltages in ocean cabling.
More: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/08/21/earth_bell/
The solar wind - the stream of charged particles billowing away from the Sun - is at its weakest for 50 years.
Scientists made the assessment after studying 18 years of data from the Ulysses satellite which has sampled the space environment all around our star.
They expect the reduced output to have effects right across the Solar System.
More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7632331.stm
The Sun's solar wind output has fallen to the lowest level since "accurate readings" became available, and the drop may have an effect on the natural shielding which protects the solar system from cosmic rays, NASA reports.
More: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/09/24/solar_wind/
The horse's mouth is the Ulysses (http://ulysses.jpl.nasa.gov/) mission...
After more than 18 years studying the Sun, the plug is finally being pulled on the ailing spacecraft Ulysses.
Final communication with the joint European-US satellite will take place on 30 June.
The long-serving craft, launched in October 1990, has already served four times its expected design life.
More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8121625.stm