All articles tagged with #solar flares
NASA reports two X-class solar flares within seven hours—X2.4 on April 23 and X2.5 on April 24—that knocked out radio signals on Earth’s dayside and likely accompanied by CMEs. While the sunspot’s position makes a direct Earth impact unlikely, forecasters say a glancing CME could bring geomagnetic activity and possibly auroras as paths are monitored.
A Sun X1.4 flare from active region 4405 triggered a radio blackout and a coronal mass ejection heading toward Earth, prompting a G2 geomagnetic storm watch as Artemis 2’s launch window nears; NASA says there’s an 80% chance of favorable conditions on Wednesday, but CME timing could delay the mission if communications or navigation are affected.
A Japanese study models the Earth’s crust and ionosphere as a coupled electric system to explore whether solar flares could subtly influence when a fault reaches rupture. The authors stress they are discussing timing, not energy, and acknowledge the idea is preliminary and contested by experts, with further validation planned.
A new study suggests that solar flares may perturb Earth’s ionosphere, altering electrostatic forces in the crust and potentially nudging faults toward earthquakes. The authors model the crust and ionosphere as connected like a leaky battery; critics say the approach is oversimplified and real geology could dampen any effect. Validation is challenging, though the researchers cite a 2024 Japan quake as possible support, emphasizing that correlation does not equal causation.
The Sun erupted four strong X-class flares from sunspot cluster RGN 4366, including an X8.1—the most powerful since October 2024—potentially boosting energetic particle events and coronal mass ejections. CMEs can illuminate auroras but also disrupt satellites, power grids, and communications. Forecasters say more “exciting activity” could be on the way as the Sun remains unusually active during its 11‑year cycle, even though overall activity is expected to wind down later this decade.
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 that sunspot group RGN 4366 has grown into a complex region capable of producing flares from M1 to X1, but no coronal mass ejections (CMEs) have been observed yet. The region remains the primary feature to watch during the week of 1–7 February 2026. Current NOAA space weather scales show minor radio blackout risks (R1) with HF radio degradation on the sunlit side.
A record-breaking study revealed that the giant sunspot AR 13664, which grew to 15 times Earth's width, produced nearly 1,000 solar flares, including powerful X-class flares, and triggered Earth's most intense geomagnetic storm in over 20 years, highlighting the sun's immense power during solar maximum.
Scientists used the Solar Orbiter to observe the active solar region NOAA 13664 for 94 days, the longest ever recorded, which helped link a major geomagnetic storm in May 2024 to solar activity, providing new insights into solar behavior and its impact on Earth.
Airbus recalled thousands of A320 aircraft due to potential data corruption caused by intense solar radiation, which could affect flight control systems, following an incident where a plane experienced a sudden altitude drop. The issue is linked to solar flares and sunspot activity, prompting software updates and raising concerns about space weather impacts on aviation safety.
The sun has emitted multiple powerful X-class solar flares, including an X5.1, causing coronal mass ejections that are heading toward Earth, potentially triggering geomagnetic storms and visible auroras across parts of the US and Europe from Nov. 10 to Nov. 12.
Astronomers are monitoring a large sunspot cluster, Region 4274, which has produced multiple powerful solar flares, including X-class events, potentially impacting Earth's communications and power systems as the sun approaches its active peak in its 11-year cycle.
The sun emitted two powerful X-class solar flares on Nov. 4, causing radio blackouts across the Americas and Pacific, with potential for geomagnetic storms and vibrant auroras later this week, as solar activity remains high and future eruptions are possible.
Scientists have long struggled to explain the rapid formation of 'solar rain'—cool, dense plasma blobs that fall during solar flares. Recent research shows that allowing elemental abundances, especially low FIP elements like iron, to vary in models explains the quick cooling and condensation observed. This new understanding improves the accuracy of solar models, helping to better interpret solar activity and predict space weather effects.
Scientists at the University of Hawai‘i have discovered that changing elemental composition in the Sun's corona drives the phenomenon of solar rain, resolving long-standing questions about how plasma cools and condenses rapidly during solar flares, which could improve space weather predictions.