All articles tagged with #coronal mass ejection
The Sun erupted with 10 M-class flares in 24 hours, with several coronal mass ejections headed toward Earth. NOAA forecasts suggest geomagnetic activity (G1–G2) could spark auroras across parts of the northern U.S. around the July 3–4 weekend, depending on CME interactions and magnetic-field orientation; viewing may be hindered by twilight in some areas.
An X1.1 solar flare from sunspot AR4479 on June 30 produced Radio Blackouts on the daylight side of Earth and launched a CME. While initial analyses suggested limited Earth impact, NOAA later issued a G2 geomagnetic storm watch for July 3, indicating that at least part of the CME could reach Earth and trigger geomagnetic activity. If the CME’s magnetic field is oriented favorably, auroras could be visible across parts of the northern U.S. during the July 4 weekend.
On March 13, 1989, a solar coronal mass ejection induced currents that collapsed Quebec's Hydro-Québec grid in 90 seconds, leaving 6 million people without power for hours; the event exposed vulnerabilities of long-distance transmission to space weather and spurred major investments in grid protection and real-time solar forecasting across North America.
The 1859 Carrington solar storm unleashed a fast coronal mass ejection that slammed Earth’s magnetosphere, turning hundreds of miles of telegraph wires into a giant generator; operators unplugged their batteries and still transmitted as sparks flew and lines smoked, with auroras visible far from the poles. The event illustrated how geomagnetically induced currents ride along ground conductors, a risk echoed in later outages like the 1989 Quebec blackout and a present-day grid whose transformers and infrastructure would face severe disruption—yet warnings from space weather monitoring can provide precious minutes to protect vulnerable equipment.
NASA’s STEREO-A happened to sit in the direct path of the July 2012 Carrington-class CME, taking the full hit while Earth avoided a direct strike. The spacecraft’s instruments recorded unprecedented in-situ measurements of magnetic fields, plasma density, and shock structure, creating a canonical dataset for extreme solar storms. Analyses using that data suggest a direct Carrington-type event could drive geomagnetic disturbances powerful enough to damage hundreds of high-voltage transformers across North America and Europe, underscoring the value of even hours of warning. The event also anchors statistical risk estimates (roughly 10–15% per decade) and confirms that a future Earth-directed storm could have devastating consequences if not anticipated.
A rare cannibal CME—a merger of an X-class flare from sunspot 4455 and following CMEs—could reach Earth this Friday, triggering a strong geomagnetic storm and lighting up auroras far farther south than usual, visible across central England and Wales and parts of the US such as Iowa, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire.
A cannibal coronal mass ejection from sunspot 4455—a rare anti‑Hale sunspot—is expected to slam into Earth this afternoon, likely triggering strong geomagnetic storms (G3–G4) and widespread auroras visible as far south as 23 U.S. states, with NOAA projecting mid‑afternoon arrival and skywatchers from the Pacific Northwest to the Northeast potentially seeing the lights.
A powerful M5.7 solar flare on May 10 released a CME that mostly misses Earth but could graze our planet, raising the chance of northern lights across high latitudes in the coming days. NOAA and the UK Met Office forecast a weak geomagnetic storm around May 13 as sunspot regions AR4436 and AR4432 evolve, with potential for more activity and even X-class flares in the near term.
A powerful M5.7 solar flare from sunspot AR4436 on May 10 produced a CME that could skim Earth around May 13, potentially triggering minor geomagnetic storms and visible auroras at high latitudes; a radio blackout was reported over the Atlantic during the event, and forecasters warn more solar activity may follow as sunspots evolve.
Two X2.5 solar flares erupted from sunspot AR4419 on the Sun’s western limb within seven hours, triggering radio blackouts on Earth’s dayside. The flares were the strongest in about 78 days; while a direct CME impact is unlikely, forecasters warn a glancing blow could spark geomagnetic activity and auroras. A preceding “sympathetic” flare involved eruptions from two sunspot regions on opposite sides of the Sun.
NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center warns of a G2 geomagnetic storm on March 19 (UTC) as multiple coronal mass ejections head toward Earth. The activity could push the auroral oval far south, with potential sightings in mid-latitudes including Illinois and New York, depending on CME timing and local conditions. Impacts could begin as early as 11 p.m. ET on March 18, with strongest activity 2–8 a.m. ET on March 19 and possibly lingering into March 20, and a wider window increases the chance for aurora displays given clear skies and favorable magnetic orientation.
NOAA SWPC forecasts the Northern Lights will be visible tonight across 10 northern U.S. states (including Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Maine) due to solar winds and a coronal mass ejection; best viewing from about 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. under dark skies away from city lights, with additional chances around the March 20 spring equinox.
Four X-class solar flares (X1.0, X8.1, X2.8, X1.6) erupted from sunspot group RGN 4366 on Feb 1–2, 2026, signaling lively space weather with potential energetic particle events and possible coronal mass ejections. Forecasters say more activity could follow as the active region evolves, with potential impacts on satellites, communications, and power grids if Earth-directed CMEs occur.
NOAA reports an X8.1 flare from active region 4366, with CME modeling indicating much of the ejected material will pass by Earth to the north and east late Feb 5 UTC, potentially delivering glancing effects. The region remains highly active with ongoing M and X-class flares, and forecasters expect more activity in the coming days.
Over a 24-hour period the Sun released a barrage of flares from sunspot AR4366, including at least 18 M-class and three X-class events (peaking at X8.3), triggering radio blackouts in parts of the South Pacific and eastern Australia/New Zealand. AR4366 is rapidly growing and could produce more eruptions; a CME is expected but likely to miss Earth or only glance Earth around Feb. 5, potentially elevating high-latitude aurora activity. Forecasters warn conditions remain uncertain as activity continues.