All articles tagged with #solar flare
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.
Space.com reports that scientists using IRIS data captured a rare preflare window for the Oct. 3, 2024 X9 solar flare. They tracked three plasma properties—brightness, line-of-sight velocity, and non-thermal velocity (turbulence)—which began rising about three hours before eruption and showed regular oscillations (roughly 7–10 minutes and 18–21 minutes) near a boundary where opposite magnetic fields meet. About 15–20 minutes before the flare, the sun’s atmosphere became more volatile, signaling possible magnetic energy release. While the study suggests a potential precursor signature from combining these signals, it analyses a single event, and more flares must be studied before reliable early warnings can be developed. The findings were published in Solar Physics.
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 massive solar flare produced a coronal mass ejection (CME) traveling toward Earth at roughly 650 km/s. The CME is expected to pass by Earth, possibly with a glancing impact late on May 12–13 UTC, potentially triggering auroral displays and light shows across northern latitudes. Met Office and NOAA are monitoring the situation, noting patchy UK cloud but the chance of Northern Lights across northern Scotland and similar latitudes.
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.
A rare real-time capture of a solar flare from sunspot AR4392 reveals the Sun’s explosive energy and shows how scientists translate solar activity into audio, complementing satellite data and aiding space-weather understanding.
NASA says the X1.4 solar flare and its CME pose no threat to Artemis 2’s April 1 launch to the Moon; officials expect no CME effects and note a radiation shelter will be used if needed. Artemis 2 will carry four astronauts on a roughly 10-day lunar flyby aboard SLS/Orion, with liftoff at 6:24 p.m. EDT and about 80% favorable weather; the crew arrived at Kennedy Space Center March 27 and is in prelaunch quarantine.
A powerful X1.4 solar flare from sunspot region 4405 caused radio blackouts on Earth’s sunlit side and launched a fast CME, with NOAA warning of a possible Earth-directed component and a moderate G2 geomagnetic storm watch. NASA’s Artemis 2 moon mission is planned no earlier than April 1, but space weather could disrupt launch communications and early maneuvers; if the CME impacts Earth, auroras could appear at unusually low latitudes in the United States.
A powerful X4.2 class solar flare erupted from the Sun, causing radio signal outages across parts of Africa and Europe, with video coverage of the flare; space weather observers will monitor any geomagnetic disturbances and potential impacts on Earth’s technology.
Sunspot region 4366 has unleashed dozens of solar flares in 24 hours, including multiple M-class and X-class eruptions—the strongest since 2024—making it the most active sunspot in years. NOAA's SWPC says a coronal mass ejection is headed toward Earth but is likely to miss or only graze it, potentially sparking auroras at unusually low latitudes later this week.
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.