Sun news: M1.2 flare signals return of active region

Sun news September 04 (UTC): M1.2 flare signals return of active region

Today’s top story: A returning active region just beyond the sun’s northeast limb kept making its presence felt. It fired off an M1.2 flare at 07:45 UTC on September 4, the strongest event of the period. That signals activity may be ramping up. This same region had earlier produced a C7.9 flare with a fast Type II radio sweep clocked at 1,359 km/s. That’s evidence of a powerful eruption. Fortunately, the blast headed well away from Earth. Meanwhile, AR4523 kept busy too, churning out a steady stream of C-class flares throughout the period. Back at Earth, the magnetic field stayed quiet. Solar wind speeds loitered below 400 km/s, and the Bz component stayed benign. Looking ahead, the returning region should rotate fully into view within the next day. It was magnetically complex during its last disk passage in mid-August. This could open the door to stronger flare activity and keep forecasters on alert through the weekend.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC September 03 – 11 UTC September 04)

Flare activity: Solar activity reached moderate levels. Observers logged 11 flares: 1 M-class and 10 C-class events.

• Strongest flare: An M1.2 from AR4524 (N11E73) at 07:45 UTC on September 4. It triggered an R1 (minor) radio blackout, briefly affecting HF communications over the Arabian Sea.
• Other notable flares from AR4524: A C7.9 at 16:13 UTC on September 3, associated with a Type II radio sweep at an estimated 1,359 km/s. Also a C2.0 at 17:00 UTC on September 3, and a C1.3 at 06:08 UTC on September 4.
• Lead flare producer: AR4523 topped the list, firing 6 C-class flares. Those included a C6.9 at 14:36 UTC, a C4.2 at 11:52 UTC, a C3.7 at 19:55 UTC, and a C3.0 at 18:22 UTC, all on September 3.
• Finally, a C1.5 at 02:38 UTC on September 4 came from AR4518, a region likely near or beyond the limb.

Sunspot regions: The Earth-facing solar disk displayed 3 numbered sunspot regions. A fourth should rotate into view imminently from beyond the northeast limb.

• AR4521 (alpha): This region stayed stable and quiet throughout the period. It produced no notable flares.
• AR4523 (beta): This region grew over the past 24 hours. It was also the most prolific flare producer, generating multiple C-class events up to C6.9. So it bears watching as it continues to develop.
• AR4524 (alpha): This returning region currently sits near the east limb. It produced the period’s strongest flare, the M1.2, plus the notable C7.9 event with its Type II radio emissions. It was magnetically complex during its previous disk transit in mid-August. So it may regain that complexity as it rotates further into view, raising the prospect of stronger flaring.
• In addition, CME activity from beyond the eastern limb during the period confirms that a significant active region is about to rotate onto the visible disk, likely within the next 24 hours.

Blasts from the sun? Observers spotted multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) during the period. However, none should directly hit Earth. Two earlier CMEs from September 2 carry modeled Earth-interaction predictions, though impacts would be minor at best.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind parameters reflected mostly nominal, slow-wind conditions throughout the period. Speeds largely stayed below 400 km/s, ranging between approximately 330 and 430 km/s. Meanwhile, an equatorial coronal hole (SIDC CH179, positive polarity) has reached the central meridian. Its high-speed stream may begin influencing near-Earth conditions in the coming days.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) total strength (Bt) ran slightly elevated, up to 8 or 9 nT, likely due to interaction with a current sheet. Meanwhile, the Bz component fluctuated between approximately -5 nT and +7 nT, with neither direction dominant. That kept Earth’s magnetic shield largely intact and conditions unfavorable for aurora production.

Earth’s magnetic field: Earth’s magnetic field stayed quiet throughout the period, with the Kp index remaining at 1 to 2. No geomagnetic storm conditions occurred.

What’s ahead? Sun–Earth forecast

Flare activity forecast: Forecasters expect solar activity to remain (10%) at low to moderate levels over the next three days. C-class flares are expected, along with a good chance of M-class (R1–R2) flares, primarily from AR4524 as it rotates further onto the disk. This region was magnetically complex and produced M-class flares during its previous transit. If it regains that complexity, it brings a slight chance (1%) of an isolated X-class (R3) event. Meanwhile, AR4523, which has been growing and actively flaring, also remains a candidate for continued C- and M-class production.

Geomagnetic activity forecast:

• September 04: Expect quiet conditions (Kp 0-2). Solar wind should remain at ambient levels with no significant drivers. No aurora enhancement is expected.
• September 05: Expect mostly quiet conditions (Kp 1-2), with a slight chance of unsettled intervals (Kp 3) if the glancing shock front from the September 2 halo CME arrives around 18:00 UTC. That carries low confidence. Aurora is unlikely outside the polar regions.
• September 06-07: Conditions may become more interesting. A solar sector boundary crossing is anticipated by late on September 6, which could produce isolated unsettled conditions (Kp 3). In addition, a possible weak CME arrival around 16:00 UTC on September 6 (Kp 2 to 3) and potential coronal hole high-speed stream effects could combine to push activity to unsettled-to-active levels (Kp 3-4). A slight chance exists for isolated G1 (minor) storm intervals (Kp 5). If G1 conditions materialize, aurora may appear over Seattle, Edinburgh, southern Alaska, and similar high-latitude locations. The UK Met Office notes slight auroral enhancements may be possible across the far north of Scotland and similar latitudes during this window.

Sun news September 3: Big flare from newcomer sunspot

Today’s top story: Bam! A newcomer sunspot region sparked an impressive M3.0 flare around 19:20 UTC last night. This region is just showing its nose on the northeast solar horizon. It was unnumbered at the moment of the flare, but it’s now been labeled AR4524. This region started showing off its potential with a fiery prominence we reported a couple of days ago. Now, it’s the region to watch. The M3 flare did hurl plasma into space, but this coronal mass ejection (CME) doesn’t appear to be coming our way. But once AR4524 rotates toward the center of the solar disk, a flare like this could sent material toward Earth. Stay tuned.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC September 2 – 11 UTC September 3)

Flare activity: Solar activity jumped to moderate levels, thanks to the M-class flare. Over the past day, our sun produced a total of 12 flares: the M3, four C-class (common) flares, and seven B-class (weak) flares.

• Strongest flare: An M3.0 from the incoming northeast region, now numbered AR4524, at 19:20 UTC on September 2.
• Lead flare producer: That same newcomer, AR4524, reached the top of the list with eight flares this period: the M flare, all four C flares of the period, plus three B flares.

Sunspot regions: From Earth, we see four numbered sunspot regions on the solar disk. There is a newcomer on the solar disk: AR4524.

• AR4520 (beta): This region’s magnetic configuration stayed stable. It produced only one B flare during the period.
• AR4521 (alpha): This region kept relatively stable and produced no flares.
• AR4523 (beta): This region produced three B flares during the period.
• AR4524 (alpha): This region sits close to the northeast horizon. It rapidly became the lead flare producer and sparked a strong M3.0 flare. This is the guy to keep watching in the coming days.

Blasts from the sun? The M3.0 event from AR4524 clearly hurled plasma into space. The bulk of that coronal mass ejection (CME) lies off the sun-Earth line. Nevertheless, modeling and analysis continue to determine whether any component is coming our way. Separately, a filament eruption at 9:08 UTC on September 2 produced a CME. Initial analysis suggests a glancing blow is possible on September 7.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind speeds continued at low levels. The influence of the coronal hole high-speed stream has vanished. No significant space weather to report this time.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field started our observation period at weak levels. Then, at 7 UTC this morning, it spiked briefly to moderate levels before dropping back to weak. Meanwhile, the Bz component kept fluctuating between south and north orientations throughout the period, with north dominating. As always, prolonged southward Bz periods favor auroras by letting solar wind energy couple more efficiently with Earth’s magnetosphere. At the time of this writing, the Bz still points northward.

Earth’s magnetic field: Earth’s magnetic field showed quiet levels during the period, with the Kp index at 1 to 2. At the time of this writing, the Kp index sits just at level 1.

What’s ahead? Sun–Earth forecast

Flare activity forecast: Forecasters continue to expect low levels of solar activity today. That may change slightly in the coming days, though. Chances for M-class flares hold at 10% today. No X-class (strong) flares are anticipated, sitting at just 1%, though they can never be entirely ruled out. However, newcomer AR4524 in the northeast has already produced an M3.0 flare and several C events. It may well push these numbers higher in the coming days.

Geomagnetic activity forecast:

• September 3: Expect quiet conditions (Kp 1-2) for the rest of the day, since the coronal hole’s solar wind has vanished and no solar stuff is approaching Earth. Isolated unsettled periods remain possible.
• September 4-5: Quiet conditions (Kp 1-2) should persist with background solar wind.

Sun news September 2: New update for Solar cycle 25

The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center just released its solar cycle progression results for August 2026. The monthly sunspot number slipped slightly to 76, compared to 78.1 in July 2026. Meanwhile, August 2024 still stands as the peak of Solar Cycle 25. Since then, the cycle has been in its declining phase. Even so, as the past two weeks showed, a declining sun can still deliver plenty of action.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC September 1 – 11 UTC September 2)

Flare activity: Solar activity stayed at low levels, with only faint C-class and B-class flares. Over the past day, our sun produced a total of seven flares: three C-class (common) flares plus another four B-class (weak) flares.

• Strongest flare: A C5.7 from an incoming, as-yet-unnumbered region in the northeast at 21:10 UTC on September 1.
• Lead flare producer: That same northeast newcomer, still awaiting its number, topped today’s list. It produced four flares (two Cs and two Bs) including the strongest of the period.

Sunspot regions: The solar disk, as we see it from Earth, shows five numbered sunspot regions today.

• AR4518 (alpha): This region has decayed to a simple alpha magnetic configuration. Just yesterday it was the only region showing growth. Now it produced no flares.
• AR4520 (beta): This region stayed stable, though it showed signs of decay. It produced only one B flare during this period.
• AR4521 (alpha): This region kept relatively stable.
• AR4522 (beta): This region is in decay and produced no flares.
• AR4523 (alpha): This region stayed stable with no flare production.

Blasts from the sun? Forecasters reported no Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in the last 24 hours.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind speeds continued slowly decreasing, from moderate-low to low levels. The influence of the coronal hole high-speed stream has almost vanished, as space weather conditions drop back to background levels.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field continued at weak levels. Meanwhile, the Bz component fluctuated between south and north orientations throughout the period. Neither direction dominated, since the Bz held each orientation only briefly. As always, prolonged southward Bz periods favor auroras by letting solar wind energy couple more efficiently with Earth’s magnetosphere. At the time of this writing, the Bz has shifted southward.

Earth’s magnetic field: Earth’s magnetic field held at quiet-to-unsettled levels during the period, with the Kp index at 1 to 3. Any visible aurora displays would have stayed confined to high latitudes such as northern Scandinavia, Iceland, and northern Canada. At the time of this writing, the Kp index sits just at level 2.

Sun news September 1: Sun-observing spacecraft sees a solar eclipse

The solar observations from NOAA’s GOES-19 spacecraft were interrupted over the past day. That’s because Earth passed in front of our star from the satellite’s perspective. It’s our planet you can see taking a bite out of the solar disk! These eclipses occur twice a year, around the equinoxes.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 31 – 11 UTC September 1)

Flare activity: Solar activity continued at low levels, though flare production increased sharply. During the past day, our sun produced a total of 15 flares, compared to just 2 yesterday. This period’s tally: 5 C-class (common) flares plus another 10 B-class (weak) flares.

• Strongest flare: A C2.6 from AR4520 at 15:16 UTC on August 31.
• Lead flare producer: A tie at the top of the list. AR4517 and AR4520 each produced 5 flares, sharing the honor.

Sunspot regions: Currently, the Earth-facing solar disk displays five numbered sunspot regions, all relatively small and magnetically simple. Three newcomers received numbers during the period: AR4521, AR4522, and AR4523.

• AR4518 (beta): Stable, no flares produced during this period.
• AR4513 (beta): This region is now out of view, having rotated to the far side of our sun.
• AR4520 (beta): This region gained additional spots. It also produced the strongest flare of the period, a C2.6.
• AR4521 (alpha), AR4522 (beta), and AR4523 (alpha): These regions gained spots during the period but otherwise remained stable. Only AR4523 produced flares, contributing 2 C flares.

Blasts from the sun? Forecasters reported no Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in the last 24 hours.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind speeds slowly decreased from moderate to moderate-low levels, as the influence of a coronal hole high-speed stream began to wane.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field averaged at weak levels. Meanwhile, the Bz component fluctuated between south and north orientations. Even so, several sustained southward intervals dominated. A southward Bz favors auroras by letting solar wind energy couple more efficiently with Earth’s magnetosphere.

Earth’s magnetic field: Earth’s magnetic field showed quiet levels during the period, with the Kp index at 1 to 2. No significant aurora enhancements were expected at middle latitudes. Any visible displays would have stayed confined to high latitudes such as northern Scandinavia, Iceland, and northern Canada.

Sun news August 31: Fast coronal hole winds now easing

Earth’s magnetic field was stirred to active levels early in the past day as a stream of high-speed solar wind from a coronal hole continued to wash over our planet. However, that disturbance is now fading. Meanwhile, a large filament eruption in the sun’s northeast added a touch of drama. Forecasters are still analyzing coronagraph imagery to determine whether any of that material is headed our way.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 30 – 11 UTC August 31)

Flare activity: Solar activity remained at low levels. Observers logged only 2 C-class (common) flares and several B-class (weak) events during the period.

• Strongest flare: A C2.2 from AR4513 at 16:41 UTC on August 30.
• Lead flare producer: AR4513 topped the list, responsible for the C2.2 plus a B9.8 event at 12:48 UTC on August 30.

Sunspot regions: The Earth-facing solar disk displayed six numbered sunspot regions, all relatively small and magnetically simple.

• AR4518 (beta): This was the only region to show growth during the period. That makes it the most noteworthy spot group on the disk, despite its modest size.
• AR4517 (beta): This region is approaching the west limb. It should rotate out of view in the coming hours.
• AR4513 (beta): This region is also nearing the west limb. It produced the period’s strongest flare, the C2.2.
• The remaining active regions carried alpha or beta magnetic configurations. All were stable or decaying, and none produced significant flaring.

Blasts from the sun? No Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) have been confirmed at this time. Observers spotted a large filament eruption in the northeast beginning around 6 to 7 UTC on August 30. Forecasters now await further coronagraph data to determine whether any associated CME carries an Earth-directed component.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind speeds stayed modestly enhanced under the continued influence of a coronal hole high-speed stream.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanery magnetic field total strength peaked early in the period, then eased by the end. Meanwhile, the Bz component fluctuated erratically. Several sustained southward intervals drove the active geomagnetic conditions. As always, a southward Bz favors auroras by letting solar wind energy couple more efficiently with Earth’s magnetosphere. Conditions should gradually ease as the stream’s influence wanes.

Earth’s magnetic field: Earth’s magnetic field ranged from quiet to active levels during the period, driven by the coronal hole stream. The Kp index reached 4, placing conditions at the active threshold without crossing into G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm levels. The active intervals clustered during stretches of sustained southward Bz, while quieter spells arrived when the Bz turned northward. No significant aurora enhancement was expected at middle latitudes. Any visible displays would have stayed confined to high latitudes such as northern Scandinavia, Iceland and northern Canada.

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Bottom line: Sun news September 4, 2026: Returning region AR4524 fired an M1.2 flare from the northeast limb. Its last visit was complex, so stronger flares may follow.

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