Solar storms can have dramatic effects on the Earth, things like auroras in the sky where auroras do not normally appear. Volatility on the sun can also affect some animals.
And gives solar storms the blame for gray whales stranding themselves.
The sun's extra output may throw off the whales' delicate navigation systems.
Jesse Granger is the graduate student at Duke University who led the research. He visits with details of how he came to his conclusion.