Earth-facing M6.9 flare could spark northern lights this week

A restless Sun erupted an Earth-facing M6.9 flare from sunspot AR4513 on Aug. 25, launching a coronal mass ejection (CME) that may graze Earth later this week. Early NASA models suggest a glancing CME arrival around Aug. 28, which could boost geomagnetic activity if it interacts with a high‑speed solar wind stream from a coronal hole; the actual impact depends on arrival timing and the magnetic orientation of the CME. Forecasters will monitor updates, as a strong southward field could enhance northern lights activity.