Sun activity archive for August 2026

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.

Sun news August 30 (UTC): Earth awaits a blob from the sun

Earth’s magnetic field was stirred to active levels overnight as a coronal hole high-speed stream poured in. The Kp index reached near G1 levels while solar wind speeds climbed to fast levels. Meanwhile, the Bz component of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) swung southward at times. That opened the door for charged particles to energize Earth’s upper atmosphere, potentially producing faint auroral displays at high latitudes. Today could bring more of the same, and possibly a little extra. A slow coronal mass ejection (CME) from August 26 should deliver a glancing blow around 7 UTC on August 30. So aurora watchers at northern latitudes should stay on alert. The sun itself, meanwhile, took a breather. Flare production stayed at low levels, with only a handful of 3 C-class flares and a run of B-class events from the departing AR4517. A C3.0 from the east limb was the strongest event of the period, though it posed no threat of radio blackouts. With AR4517 about to rotate off the western limb, the visible disk is left with mostly quiet, simple sunspot groups. That leaves only a modest chance for an isolated M-class flare over the coming days.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 29 – 11 UTC August 30)

Flare activity: Solar activity remained at low levels. Observers logged 3 C-class flares and 7 B-class flares during the reporting period.

• Strongest flare: A C3.0 at 01:10 UTC on August 30, from an unidentified source near N11E88 on the east limb. As a C-class event, it produced no radio blackout.
• Other notable flares: A C1.1 at 12:01 UTC on August 29 from AR4517, and a C1.0 at 13:15 UTC on August 29, also from AR4517.
• Lead flare producer: AR4517 topped the list, firing at least 6 of the 10 tracked events. That includes both C1-class flares and multiple B-class events. However, all of its flares were weak and impulsive.

Sunspot regions: The Earth-facing solar disk displayed four numbered sunspot regions, with one additional region, AR4519, having decayed into plage.

• AR4517 (beta): The largest region on the disk continued as the most active producer, firing off several weak C-class and B-class flares. It showed some minor intermediate spot growth earlier in the period, followed by deterioration. Now positioned at W72, it is approaching the west limb. It should rotate out of view within the next day or so, taking its geoeffective potential with it.
• AR4520 (beta): This region exhibited minor growth and spreading of its leading and trailing spots. Even so, it maintained a magnetically simple configuration and produced no significant flaring.
• The remaining numbered regions stayed either stable or in decay, persisting as small alpha or beta configurations.

Blasts from the sun? Forecasters cataloged five CMEs during the reporting period. However, none should impact Earth. All were relatively slow and directed away from our planet. That said, a CME launched on August 26 remains on a potential intercept course.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind conditions stayed enhanced throughout the period, under the influence of a coronal hole high-speed stream (CH HSS).

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The IMF total strength a moderate level. Meanwhile, the Bz component fluctuated erratically between north and south. Several prolonged southward intervals favored geomagnetic coupling and aurora production.

Earth’s magnetic field: The geomagnetic field reached active levels during the period, driven by that positive-polarity coronal hole stream. Kp peaked at 4+ per NOAA, and K-Bel reached 4 in Belgium, placing conditions right at the active threshold. No G1 or higher geomagnetic storm levels officially occurred. Even so, the sustained southward Bz intervals produced intermittent unsettled-to-active conditions throughout. At these Kp levels, any auroral enhancement would have stayed limited to high latitudes such as Iceland, northern Norway, and northern Canada.

What’s ahead? Sun–Earth forecast

Flare activity forecast: Forecasters expect solar activity to remain at low levels, with a chance (15%) for isolated M-class (R1–R2) flares through September 1. As AR4517, the most active region, rotates off the western limb, C-class activity should decrease. The probability of M-class flares drops to a slight chance along with it. AR4520 bears watching as it transits the central disk. For now, though, its simple beta configuration limits its flare potential. No X-class flares (1%) are expected.

Geomagnetic activity forecast:

• August 30: Expect active conditions (Kp 4) from the ongoing coronal hole high-speed stream, coupled with the anticipated glancing arrival of the August 26 CME around 07:00 UTC. Model runs suggest Kp 2 to 3 from the CME alone. Combined with the stream, though, brief active periods are likely. Aurora may appear over high-latitude locations such as Alaska, northern Canada, Iceland, and northern Scandinavia. A brief G1 (minor) period cannot be ruled out if the CME’s magnetic field aligns favorably southward on arrival.
• August 31: Mostly quiet conditions are expected as the coronal hole stream wanes and solar wind speeds return toward ambient levels. Forecasters predict no significant geomagnetic storms.
• September 1: Quiet conditions should prevail as solar wind returns to background levels. No significant drivers are anticipated.

Sun news August 29: Chunk of solar stuff delayed. Maybe today

The anticipated fast solar wind from a coronal hole arrived last night, and effects continued through this morning. The disturbance to Earth’s atmosphere didn’t reach the G1 (minor) geomagnetic storms expected. But it reached Kp = 4 for active levels, for prolonged periods, three three-hour synoptic periods. That’s high enough to trigger auroral displays at high latitudes such as Fairbanks and Anchorage in Alaska, and Trondheim and Kiruna in Scandinavia. The arrival of solar-stuff from the recent M7 flare, seems delayed. But it’s expected to arrive at Earth during the day today. Forecasters are still confident this impact could trigger G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storms. And that could mean beautiful auroras even further south tonight. Clear skies, aurora chasers, good luck and don’t forget to send your photos our way.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 28 – 11 UTC August 29)

Flare activity: Solar activity went down to very low levels. B (weak) flares predominated over the past 24 hours. During this period, the sun sparked only 3 flares: all Bs.

• Strongest flare: A B6.8 (almost a C (moderate) flare) from sunspot region AR4513. It peaked at 12:41 UTC on August 28.
• Lead flare producer: Active region AR4517 produced 2 out of the 3 B flares of the past day.

Sunspot regions: Currently the Earth-facing solar disk shows six numbered sunspot regions. Experts numbered a newcomer over the past day: AR4520 in the southeast.

• AR4513 (beta): Our hero of the week, producer of M flares and a number of C flares, lost its gamma-delta magnetic configuration, decaying to a simpler beta configuration. It’s now nearing the sun’s southwest horizon and in the coming days – carried by the sun’s rotation – it’ll depart to the sun’s far side.
• AR4515 (alpha): This region stayed stable No flares producer during the period. No significant changes to report.
• AR4517 (beta): This region kept its beta magnetic configuration. It ranked as the top flare producer over the past day with 2 faint B flares.
• AR4518 (beta): Shown overall decay.
• AR4519 (alpha): This active region was stable and produced no flares.
• AR4520 (beta): Showed rapid growth after its appearance.

Blasts from the sun? Experts observed sun activity on the sun’s far side. A blast hurled plasma into space and showed off over the sun’s northeast horizon as a beautiful prominence, a great rope of solar materials and magnetic fields arcing upward from the sun’s visible surface. So we know that – behind the solar horizon – there’s an active region coming our way. Also we watched filament activity in the sun’s northwest quadrant. But for now, observers report no new Earth-bound coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in available coronagraph imagery.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: As anticipated, Solar wind speeds increased from low levels to moderate levels over the past day. At the time of this writing (11 UTC on August 29), solar wind speed are at moderate-high levels.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) increased to moderate strength and kept this level during most of the period. Meanwhile, the Bz component kept shifting from north to south oriented with the strongest peaks southward. At 10 UTC on August 28 the Bz component turned southward and pointed south until the time of this report. A prolonged southward Bz favors auroral displays.

Earth’s magnetic field: Throughout the past day, Earth’s magnetic field went from quiet to active levels, with Kp values of just 1-4. Earth’s magnetic field reached a Kp = 4 level at 15:15 UTC on August 28 and stayed at this level during three three-hour synoptic periods. A Kp = 3, unsettled level, was reached for another three three-hour synoptic periods, meaning auroral displays were possible at northern latitudes.

Sun news August 28: Auroras could be on the way tonight

The anticipated fast solar wind from a coronal hole is running late. It didn’t arrive last night, as forecasters had expected … but it does seem to have started arriving this morning. Combined with a burst of sun-stuff from the recent M7 flare, which is expected to reach Earth later today, this could trigger G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storms. And that could mean beautiful auroras at northerly latitudes tonight! Clear skies, aurora chasers, and don’t forget to send your photos our way.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 27 – 11 UTC August 28)

Flare activity: Solar activity dropped to very low levels, with almost nothing but B flares over the past 24 hours. During this period, the sun sparked a total of 6 flares: one C flare and five B flares.

• Strongest flare: A C1.1 from AR4513 peaking at 4:22 UTC on August 28.
• Lead flare producer: AR4513 reached the top of the list once again, sparking 4 flares during this period: one C and three B flares. Meanwhile, AR4517 produced two B flares.

Sunspot regions: Today the solar disk displays five numbered sunspot regions on the side we see from Earth.

• AR4513 (beta-gamma-delta): This region regained its delta component and now shows a beta-gamma-delta magnetic configuration once more. It stays at the top of the flare list, though it produced only faint flares this time. Even so, that renewed complexity looks promising for bigger blasts ahead.
• AR4515 (alpha): This region stayed stable and produced no flares during the period.
• AR4516 (beta): This region has now departed to the far side.
• AR4517 (beta): This region lost its gamma configuration and now shows a simpler beta. Still, it ranked as the second flare producer for a second day running.
• AR4518 (beta) and AR4519 (alpha): These newcomers on the solar disk remained stable and produced no flares.

Blasts from the sun? Observers report no new Earth-bound coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in available coronagraph imagery.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind speeds averaged very low levels through most of the period. But starting at 3:30 UTC on August 28, speeds began increasing to low-moderate levels. More increase is anticipated.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) averaged at weak strength during most of the period. Then, at around 3:30 UTC this morning, it started to increase, reaching moderate levels. Meanwhile, the Bz component pointed southward until 22:30 UTC on August 27. It then shifted northward until 3:00 UTC this morning, before returning southward. A prolonged southward Bz favors auroral displays.

Earth’s magnetic field: The field continued at very quiet levels throughout the period, with Kp values of just 0-1. At the end of our observation period, the Kp index sits slightly above level 0. However, expectations indicate it may change shortly.

Sun news August 27: Auroras to pair with the eclipse tonight?

There’s a chance tonight’s red moon could float alongside green auroras! That’s because a burst of fast solar wind from a coronal hole could trigger G1 (minor) geomagnetic storms late today, which might cause beautiful auroras at northerly latitudes. Plus, we’re waiting on the arrival of a big chunk of sun-stuff fired out during the recent M7 flare. It’s expected to arrive tomorrow, but an early arrival isn’t out of the question. Combined with the fast solar wind, this could push conditions to G2 (moderate) storm levels. If you catch any auroras – with the lunar eclipse or not – send a photo our way!

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 26 – 11 UTC August 27)

Flare activity: An isolated M flare kept solar activity at moderate levels over the past 24 hours. During this period, the sun sparked a total of 17 flares: one M flare, 10 C flares, and six B flares.

• Strongest flare: An M1.0 from AR4513 peaking at 12:14 UTC on August 26. Shortly after the blast, an R1 (minor) radio blackout registered over the west coast of Africa.
• Lead flare producer: AR4513 reached the top of the list once again, sparking nine flares during this period: one M, five C, and three B flares. Meanwhile, AR4517 and AR4518 followed with four and three flares, respectively.

Sunspot regions: Today our star displays six numbered sunspot regions on the side we see from Earth. Two newcomers received official numbers during the period: AR4518 and AR4519, both now sitting in the northeast quadrant.

• AR4513 (beta-gamma): This region showed some decay and lost its delta magnetic complexity. It now shows a still-promising beta-gamma magnetic configuration. So far it has not disappointed, producing M and C flares and topping the flare list all week. However, it is moving out of a geoeffective position. That means any future eruptions are less likely to head our way.
• AR4515 (alpha): This region stayed stable and produced no flares during the period.
• AR4516 (beta): This region now shows a beta configuration, meaning it lost its gamma complexity. It also sits just over the west horizon, which makes a complete analysis difficult. It is ready to depart to the far side.
• AR4517 (beta-gamma): This region stays in the group with stronger configurations. With its gamma complexity, it ranked as the 2nd flare producer.
• AR4518 (beta) and AR4519 (beta): These two newcomers emerged in the middle of the northeast quadrant. AR4518 produced three flares today.

Blasts from the sun? Observers noted plasma hurled into space during the M2.2 flare from AR4513 at 6:34 UTC on August 26. Initial analysis detected an Earth-directed component in that coronal mass ejection (CME). Further analysis will determine the arrival time. Meanwhile, the M1.0 flare remains under modeling and analysis.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind speeds continued decreasing to very low levels through the period. Forecasters reported no significant space weather. However, all of that should change later today.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) averaged weak strength. Meanwhile, the Bz component pointed northward until 18 UTC on August 26. Then it shifted southward and held that orientation for the rest of the period. At the time of this writing, it still points south. A prolonged southward Bz favors auroral displays.

Earth’s magnetic field: The field continued at very quiet levels throughout the period, with Kp values of just 0-1. At the end of our observation period, the Kp index sits slightly above level 0. But all of this may change quickly, first with the arrival of fast solar wind, and later with the solar stuff from that M7 flare.

Sun news August 26: Big chunk of sun-stuff coming to Earth

A big chunk of sun-stuff is heading our way! The M7 flare from AR4513 we reported yesterday hurled a coronal mass ejection (CME) into space, and specialists have now confirmed that it’s on its way to Earth. Arrival is expected by Friday. And when it reaches our magnetic field, it could trigger G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storms and beautiful auroras at northerly latitudes. And here’s the most tantalizing part: if the sun-stuff arrives early, any auroras could coincide with the lunar eclipse! Could we see a red moon and green auroras together? We’ve seen it before! Stay tuned for updates.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 25 – 11 UTC August 26)

Flare activity: Solar activity stayed at moderate levels, thanks to an isolated M flare. During the period, the sun sparked a total of 4 flares: 1 M flare and 3 C flares.

• Strongest flare: An M2.2 from AR4513 peaking at 6:34 UTC on August 26. Shortly after the blast, an R1 (minor) radio blackout registered over India.
• Lead flare producer: AR4513 topped the list again with three flares during this period: 1 M plus 2 C flares.

Sunspot regions: Our sun continues to display four numbered sunspot regions on its Earth-viewed side.

• AR4513 (beta-gamma-delta): This region continues to carry the strongest magnetic complexity possible. Today, it showed reduced flare production, but still stayed at the top of the flare list. Plus, it’s now pointing almost directly at Earth, meaning any eruptions of solar material would likely head straight for us.
• AR4515 (alpha): No important changes to report here. This region stayed stable during the period.
• AR4516 (beta-gamma): This region continued growing in its trailing spots. It now shows a beta-gamma configuration, which reinforces the chances for bigger flares. However, it sits close to the northwest horizon and is ready to depart to the far side.
• AR4517 (beta-gamma): This region joins the group with stronger configurations. It continued growing in both its leading and trailing spots, and it developed a gamma magnetic complexity.

Blasts from the sun? A C4.7 flare at 12:58 UTC on August 25 hurled plasma into space. Review is ongoing to detect any Earth-directed component of that CME. Meanwhile, all eyes stay on the chunk of solar stuff arriving by August 28.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind speeds continued at low levels through the period. Forecasters reported no significant space weather.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) stayed weak. Meanwhile, the Bz component pointed northward during most of the period. Then, at around 2 UTC this morning, August 26, it began shifting between north and south orientations. A northward Bz, or one that flips quickly, is unfavorable for aurora production.

Earth’s magnetic field: The field stayed very quiet throughout the period, with Kp values of just 0-1. At the end of our observation period, the Kp index sits slightly above level 0.

Sun news August 25: Sunspot region roars with 5 M flares

After a quiet few days, promising sunspot region AR4513 roared back to life over the past 24 hours! It fired all 16 of the past day’s flares, including an impressive five M flares. The largest was an M7, peaking at 10:02 UTC on August 25 and triggering an R2 (moderate) radio blackout over Africa. This sunspot region is finally unleashing the potential of its beta-gamma-delta magnetic complexity, the most volatile configuration there is. Notably, it’s now sitting almost dead center on the solar disk. So if the powerful M7 flare hurled a coronal mass ejection (CME) into space, a good portion of it could head straight for Earth. Specialists are analyzing the event now. Stay with us for the results!

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 24 – 11 UTC August 25)

Flare activity: Solar activity jumped to high levels, thanks to five M flares. In total, the sun fired 16 flares during the period: 5 M flares, 9 C flares, and 2 B flares.

• Strongest flare: An M7.0 from AR4513 peaking at 10:02 UTC on August 25. The event provoked an R2 (moderate) radio blackout centered over Africa.
• Second strongest: An M2.0 at 1:26 UTC on August 25. It produced an R1 (minor) radio blackout over the Philippine Sea.
• Other M flares: An M1.8 at 19:36 UTC on August 24, with an R1 (minor) radio blackout over the Pacific Ocean west of Central America. Then an M1.0 at 4:02 UTC on August 25, producing an R1 (minor) radio blackout over the Philippines and Southeast Asia. Finally, another M1.8 at 6:40 UTC on August 25, with an R1 (minor) radio blackout over the southeast coast of India.
• Lead flare producer: AR4513 fired all 16 flares tracked over the period.

Sunspot regions: Currently, the solar disk displays four numbered sunspot regions on the side we see from Earth.

• AR4513 (beta-gamma-delta): This region reawakened during the period, and did so dramatically. It was the only flare producer, delivering all five M flares. It also now sits near the disk’s center, which means its eruptions could affect Earth.
• AR4515 (alpha): This sunspot region stayed stable during the period.
• AR4516 (beta): This region reported growth in its trailing spots. Even so, it produced no flares.
• AR4517 (beta): This region continued growing in both its leading and trailing spots. Still, it produced no flares.

Blasts from the sun? Observers are concentrating their attention on the five M flares from AR4513, especially the M7.0. Review is ongoing to find any Earth-directed component among the coronal mass ejections (CMEs) hurled into space during those events. Given the region’s near-central position, an Earth-directed component is a real possibility this time.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind speeds averaged at low levels through the period. No significant space weather was reported.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) stayed weak, showing only a slight increase at the end of our observation period. Meanwhile, the Bz component pointed northward the whole time. That orientation is unfavorable for aurora production.

Earth’s magnetic field: The field stayed quiet-to-unsettled throughout the period, with Kp values of just 0-3. As a result, aurora sightings stayed limited to the far northern auroral zone: Iceland, northern Scandinavia, northern Alaska, and Canada.

Sun news August 24: Quiet sun, but fast solar winds to come

(11 UTC August 23 – 11 UTC August 24)

With the Earth-facing solar disk currently quiet, forecasters are looking ahead to a likely round of fast solar wind later this week. The solar wind is streaming from an area of low density in the sun’s outer atmosphere known as a coronal hole, and it should start reaching Earth late on August 26 or, more likely, on August 27. That could open the door for auroras across northerly latitudes, including northern Scotland.

Past 24 hours on the sun

Flare activity: Solar activity remained at low levels. The sun fired 8 C-class flares and 2 B-class events during the period.

• Strongest flare: C3.5 from AR4513 at 22:03 UTC on August 23.
• Lead flare producer: AR4513 was responsible for 7 of the 10 flares tracked over the period.

Sunspot regions: The Earth-facing solar disk displayed four numbered active regions over the past day.

• AR4513 (beta-gamma) remained the most significant region on the disk, and was the source of nearly all the flaring.
• AR4517 (beta) grew in both its leader and trailer spots. Still, it kept a relatively simple magnetic structure.
• AR4508 and AR4514 rotated across the western horizon during the period. AR4514 produced two minor C-class flares before departing the visible disk.
• The remaining two smaller regions on the disk were magnetically simple. Neither showed significant activity.

Blasts from the sun? Observers spotted no Earth-directed coronal mass ejections in available coronagraph imagery during the period.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Speeds declined through the period, dropping to a slow background level.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) stayed weak. The Bz component varied weakly, with no significant or sustained southward intervals. That is unfavorable for aurora production.

Earth’s magnetic field: The field was quiet throughout the entire period, with Kp values of just 1-2. Aurora sightings stayed confined to the far northern auroral zone: Iceland, northern Scandinavia, northern Alaska, and Canada.

Sun news August 23 (UTC): Flare activity low, but potential remains

Once again, over the past 24 hours, the sun took a breather. Flare production stayed at low levels, with only B (weak) and C (common) flares recorded. The strongest was a modest C4.2 at 6:24 UTC on August 23. Despite the calm, our star is far from sleepy. AR4513, a large and magnetically complex sunspot region sporting a beta-gamma magnetic configuration (a configuration with flare potential), continues to simmer near disk center. It could still unleash M (moderate) flares, or even a rare X (strong) event, in the days ahead.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 22 – 11 UTC August 23)

Flare activity: Solar activity remained at low levels. Observers recorded eight C-class flares and two B-class events during the period. No M-class or X-class flares occurred.

• Strongest flare: A C4.2 at 6:24 UTC on August 23, from an unassigned region near N02E34. As a C-class flare, it produced no radio blackout.
• AR4513 produced two C-class flares during the period: a C1.1 at 13:05 UTC and a C1.4 at 18:14 UTC, both on August 22. That continues its pattern of weak but persistent flaring.
• Meanwhile, AR4514 contributed a C1.3 at 23:38 UTC on August 22 and a C1.7 at 10:01 UTC on August 23.
• AR4507, now at the extreme west limb, produced a C1.0 at 22:15 UTC on August 22 before rotating out of view.
• Finally, unassigned regions produced two additional weak C-class flares: a C1.1 at 04:23 UTC and another C1.1 at 04:57 UTC on August 23.

Sunspot regions: The Earth-facing solar disk displayed six numbered sunspot regions, with two newly catalogued during the period.

• AR4513 (N04E39, beta-gamma): This region remains the most significant on the disk. It grew over the past 24 hours and showed some separation in its intermediate portion, while maintaining a clear gamma magnetic configuration. As a result, it stands as the primary candidate for M-class or stronger flaring in the coming days.
• AR4516 (N16W30, beta): This simple bipolar region in the northwest quadrant received its number this period.
• AR4517 (N10E25, beta): This small bipolar group in the northeast quadrant also received its number this period.
• AR4507: This region rotated across the west limb during the period and is no longer geoeffective. It was the source of the partial halo CME on August 21, described below.
• SIDC Sunspot Group 947 decayed into a plage region. Forecasters no longer count it as an active spot group.
• The remaining regions stayed largely unchanged and magnetically simple.

Blasts from the sun? Observers detected no new Earth-directed CMEs during the reporting period. However, a fast partial halo CME from August 21 remains under analysis for a possible glancing blow at Earth.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind conditions reflected the waning influence of a coronal hole high-speed stream and a gradual return toward ambient slow wind. Speeds declined from a peak near 500 to 530 km/s early in the period, reaching approximately 410 to 425 km/s by the end.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) stayed weak. Meanwhile, the Bz component held predominantly neutral to northward. That orientation is not favorable for aurora production.

Earth’s magnetic field: The geomagnetic field stayed quiet throughout the period, with Kp values ranging from 0 to 2. Conditions crossed no geomagnetic storm thresholds.

What’s ahead? Sun–Earth forecast

Flare activity forecast: Forecasters expect low to moderate levels over August 23 through 25, with a chance for M-class flares (R1–R2). AR4513 is the primary source, since it continues to grow and maintain its beta-gamma magnetic complexity near disk center. A slight chance also remains for an X-class event (R3 or greater) from this region. In fact, the SIDC estimates M-class flares as very likely, at 50% probability or greater. By contrast, the newly numbered regions AR4516 and AR4517 are magnetically simple and unlikely to produce significant flaring.

Geomagnetic activity forecast:

• August 23: Expect quiet conditions (Kp 0–2) as solar wind continues settling to ambient slow speeds. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux should remain at high levels. Meanwhile, proton flux should decline toward background. No aurora is expected at mid-latitudes.
• August 24: Mostly quiet conditions are likely (Kp 0–3). However, a possible glancing blow from the August 21 partial halo CME shock front could arrive around 04:00 UTC. If the flank connects, Kp could briefly reach 4, producing minor unsettled to active conditions. Any geomagnetic response should stay short-lived and modest, with aurora confined to high latitudes: Alaska, northern Canada, Iceland, and northern Scandinavia.
• August 25: Expect quiet to unsettled conditions (Kp 0–3) as any residual CME effects wane and ambient solar wind prevails.
• August 26: Mostly quiet conditions again. Even so, a slight chance exists for active to G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm intervals late in the day, if a new coronal hole high-speed stream arrives. That arrival may slip past the forecast window, though. If Kp reaches 5, aurora could appear over Seattle, Minneapolis, Edinburgh, and Hobart.

Sun news August 22: A sun blast with long-lasting loops

As we were closing out yesterday’s update, prolific sunspot region AR4507 – located at the very edge of the sun’s southwest horizon – began a long-lasting M1.7 flare. It started at 10:18 UTC or 5:18 a.m. CDT yesterday. And it lasted so long that scientists’ sun-watching equipment recorded it as repeated M1.7 flares, when, really, it was just one flare. Plus it came with gorgeous long-lasting ejecta, looping up from the solar horizon for several hours, into the early hours this morning (August 22). So … a day-long event! But what’s a day to the sun?

Perhaps this activity is still going now. But now we’ve lost AR4507 from view; the sun’s rotation has edged it to the sun’s far side. Take a look at our top image. Worth watching!

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 21 – 11 UTC August 22)

Flare activity: Solar activity dropped to moderate levels with a single M1.7 flare. Flare production also saw a drop from 28 flares yesterday to a total of nine flares during the past day: one M (moderate) flares and 8 C (common) flares.

• Strongest flare: An M1.7 from active region AR4507 peaking at 10:18 UTC on August 21. It provoked an R1 (minor) radio blackout over a sunlit area of Central Africa.
• Lead flare producer: Once again active region AR4513 topped the list. This time firing all the flares of this period but one. That means AR4513 blasted 8 fares out of the total 9 flares of the period. The ninth flare was produced by newcomer AR4514 in the southwest.

Sunspot regions: Currently the solar disk shows four numbered sunspot regions on its Earth-viewed side. The newcomer on the southeast horizon we mentioned yesterday, received its number during this period and it is now officially called AR4515.

• AR4508 (alpha magnetic configuration) did not produce any flares during this period and appeared stable.
• AR4507 (beta-gamma) rotated out of view and is now flaring from the far side of our star.
• AR4513 (beta-gamma-delta) kept its complex magnetic configuration, along with its potential for more M flares and even X flares. A lead flare producer!
• AR4514 (beta) on the sun’s southwest limb, or edge, produced one C flare.
• AR4515 (alpha) just rotated into view. Needs to continue moving into a more frontal position (as seen from Earth) for a better analysis.

Blasts from the sun? The several eruptions observed during these past M flares events AR4513 and AR4507, each produced a corresponding coronal mass ejections (CMEs). It is now confirmed: none are coming to us at Earth. In fact, during the past 24 hours, no Earth-bound CMEs were observed in available coronagraph imagery.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind speeds decreased to moderate levels throughout the past day, as the effects of fast wind from a coronal hole started to wane.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) registered a slight increase but kept in the weak levels through the period. Meanwhile, the Bz component showed mostly northward until 18 UTC on August 21 when it shifted to southward orientations until 23:30 UTC, with the southward peaks the strongest and longest-lasting. Those southward stretches opened the door for auroral displays. After that, the Bz component returned to north orientation until the end of our observation period.

Earth’s magnetic field: Earth’s magnetic field remained quiet over the past day. Kp values from 1 to 2. At the time of this writing, the Kp index sits just below level 1.

Sun news August 21: Almost-X flare from new powerhouse region

Prolific sunspot active region AR4513 has struck again! At 11:42 UTC yesterday, newly arrived AR4513 blasted an M8.1 flare, nearing the X flare boundary (M10). The flare sent a humongous chunk of sun-stuff into space, alongside a beautiful prominence. This coronal mass ejection (CME) doesn’t appear to be heading toward Earth, but analysis is ongoing.

On top of this near-X flare, AR4513 also produced an M2.9 flare and a flurry of C flares over the past day. Now that it’s rotated more into view, we can see that the sunspot group has a beta-gamma-delta magnetic complexity. That means it carries potential for more M flares and even X flares. All eyes are now on this prolific active region! Stay tuned to see what it does next.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 20 – 11 UTC August 21)

Flare activity: Solar activity jumped to high levels thanks to the M8.1 flare. Our star produced 28 flares during the period: two M (moderate) flares and 26 C (common) flares.

• Strongest flare: An M8.1 from active region AR4513 peaking at 11:42 UTC on August 20. It provoked an R1 (minor) radio blackout over a sunlit area of Nigeria.
• Second M flare: An M2.9, also from AR4513, peaking at 16:11 UTC on August 20. It provoked an R1 (minor) radio blackout over Puerto Rico.
• Lead flare producer: AR4513 topped the list once again, firing 12 flares during this period, including both M flares, one of which was the strongest of the period. AR4507 followed close behind with eight C flares.

Sunspot regions: Our star continues to show four numbered sunspot regions today on the solar disk as we see it from Earth. AR4514 in the southwest received its number during this period. Meanwhile, a newcomer is just starting to show its nose on the southeast horizon, though it has not yet been numbered.

• AR4506 (beta magnetic configuration): The sun’s rotation carried this region out to the far side. Even so, it produced three C flares before departing.
• AR4507 (beta-gamma): This region kept a strong configuration, but it seems to have lost its delta component. That may simply reflect its current position over the solar horizon to the west, which makes a complete analysis difficult. It kept producing C flares.
• AR4508 (alpha): This region stayed stable with no flare production and settled into a simpler alpha configuration.
• AR4513 (beta-gamma-delta): This newcomer rapidly built up the largest magnetic complexity on the disk. It now carries potential for more M flares and even X flares. It has already proven its power as a lead flare producer.
• AR4514 (beta): This sunspot region emerged from nowhere near the edge of the southwest quadrant. It produced no flares.

Blasts from the sun? The two M flares from AR4513 each produced a corresponding coronal mass ejection (CME). Given the region’s location, initial impressions suggest the plasma hurled into space during both events lies far outside Earth’s path. Another eruption in the southwest, associated with a C3.5 at 23:44 UTC, also came from AR4507 and likewise appears too far off course to reach us. In addition, observers spotted a fiery CME around 17:50 UTC, but it was far-side activity.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind speeds averaged moderate-high levels throughout the period, under the effects of fast wind from a coronal hole.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field held at weak levels through the period. Meanwhile, the Bz component, much like the day before, kept shifting between northward and southward orientations, with the southward peaks the strongest and longest-lasting. Those southward stretches opened the door for auroral displays. At the time of this writing, the Bz points slightly northward.

Earth’s magnetic field: Earth’s magnetic field ranged from quiet to unsettled levels through the past day, with Kp values from 2 to 3. At the time of this writing, the Kp index sits at level 2.

Sun news August 20: Two M flares… and a huge solar spider?

No, that’s not an enormous solar spider crawling along the sun! It’s an impressive solar prominence that we saw dancing on the sun’s horizon throughout the past day. Meanwhile, solar activity jumped up to moderate thanks to a pair of M flares. Newcomer active region AR4513 fired the strongest, an M1.9, at 8:05 UTC this morning, announcing itself from the northeast. And at 15:42 yesterday, the same new sunspot group sparked an M1.0 flare. We’ll keep watching this promising region.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 19 – 11 UTC August 20)

Flare activity: Solar activity increased to moderate levels, thanks to two M flares. Our star produced 22 flares during the period: two M (moderate) flares and 19 C (common) flares.

• Strongest flare: An M1.9 from newcomer active region AR4513 peaking at 8:05 UTC on August 20. It provoked an R1 (minor) radio blackout over a sunlit area of Asia and the Indian Ocean.
• Second M flare: An M1.0 from AR4513 peaking at 18:51 UTC on August 19. It provoked an R1 (minor) radio blackout over the Caribbean and Central America.
• Lead flare producer: AR4513 topped the list with 12 flares during this period. AR4507 followed with seven C flares.

Sunspot regions: The Earth-facing solar disk shows four numbered sunspot regions today. The newcomer in the northeast we mentioned yesterday now has an official number: AR4513. And it wasted no time, firing the period’s strongest flare. Notably, one other region continues to show a strong magnetic configuration that could produce moderate flares, or even X (strong) flares.

• AR4507 (beta-gamma-delta magnetic configuration): This region kept its strong configuration. All eyes remain on it, since it retains potential for larger flares, including more M and even X-flares.
• AR4508 (beta): This region stayed stable with no flare production.
• AR4506 (beta): This region remained quiet and stable. It produced one C flare.
• AR4513 (beta): This newcomer received its number during the period. It then promptly fired the strongest flare of the day. It still sits close to the northeast limb, so a complete analysis will come as it rotates into better view. Given its energetic debut, this is a region to watch.

Blasts from the sun? Observers spotted no Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) during this period.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind speeds continued at moderate-high levels throughout the period, under the effects of fast wind from a coronal hole.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field held at moderate levels through the period. Meanwhile, the Bz component kept shifting between northward and southward orientations. The southward stretches opened the door for auroral displays. At the time of this writing, the Bz points slightly northward.

Earth’s magnetic field: Earth’s magnetic field ranged from quiet to unsettled levels through the past day, with Kp values from 2 to 3. At the time of this writing, the Kp index sits at level 4.

Sun news August 19: Auroras continued last night, and more to come!

Beautiful auroral displays continued at northerly latitudes last night and into this morning. They came as Earth’s magnetic field underwent G1 (minor) geomagnetic storms at 20:45 UTC last night and then again at 5:45 UTC this morning.

This activity was in part driven by remnants of a chunk of sun-stuff – known to scientists as a coronal mass ejection (CME) – which left the sun on August 14 and reached Earth on Monday night. However, fast solar wind from a coronal hole deserves most of the credit for boosting conditions during this period.

Better yet, forecasters anticipate more G1 storm conditions today and tomorrow. That could mean more auroras! If you spot any, be sure to share your images with us.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 18 – 11 UTC August 19)

Flare activity: Solar activity stayed low. Our star produced only C (common) flares over the past day, 15 in all.

• Strongest flare: A C5 from a newcomer sunspot region in the northeast, as yet unnumbered, peaking at 4:54 UTC on August 19.
• Lead flare producer: That same northeast newcomer was tied at the top of the list with AR4507. Both active regions produced six C flares each during this period, including the strongest.

Sunspot regions: The solar disk shows four numbered sunspot regions today on the side we see from Earth. Notably, one continues to show a strong magnetic configuration that could produce moderate flares, or even X (strong) flares.

• AR4506 (beta): This region lost its gamma magnetic configuration. It also now sits closer to the sun’s western limb as viewed from Earth. It produced two C flares during the past day.
• AR4507 (beta-gamma-delta): This region stayed quite active, ranking as the second flare producer. It kept its strong beta-gamma-delta configuration. So all eyes are on it, since it could produce larger flares, including moderate and even X-class events.
• AR4508 (beta): This region stayed stable and produced no flares.
• AR4510 (beta): This region now sits over the western limb. It produced no flares during this period. Today, it may disappear from view as the sun’s rotation carries it to the far side.

Blasts from the sun? Observers spotted no Earth-bound coronal mass ejections (CMEs) during this period.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind speeds increased from moderate to moderate-high levels during the period. They continue at that level through the time of this report.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field started this period at strong levels. It then eased to weak strength by 2:30 UTC this morning. Meanwhile, the Bz component pointed strongly northward until 16 UTC on August 18. From there, it kept shifting between northward and southward. However, the strongest and longest stretches ran southward. That opened the door for the auroras. At around 8 UTC this morning, though, it shifted northward again.

Earth’s magnetic field: Earth’s magnetic field ranged from quiet to active through the past day, with Kp values from 2 to 5. Two G1 (minor) geomagnetic storms occurred during this period. Kp first reached 5 at 20:45 UTC on August 18. The second Kp 5 strike came at 5:45 UTC this morning, August 19. At the time of this writing, the Kp index sits at level 5.

What’s ahead? Sun–Earth forecast

Flare activity forecast: Forecasters trimmed their solar activity expectations, though they remain at low-to-moderate levels. Today, the chance of M flares dropped from 40% yesterday to 30%. Likewise, the chance of an X flare fell from 10% to 5%. AR4507 remains the main driver with its beta-gamma-delta configuration. Meanwhile, AR4506 lost its gamma and is poised to depart to the far side. All of this shaped today’s numbers.

Geomagnetic activity forecast:

• August 19: Anticipate unsettled-to-active conditions. A G1 (minor) storm is ongoing at the time of this writing, and more G1 periods remain possible. Remnants of the passing CME are driving this, but mostly the effects of fast solar wind from a coronal hole. Auroras may appear over Seattle, Edinburgh, the Scottish Highlands, and similar latitudes. Clear skies to you, aurora watchers!
• August 20-21: Active conditions may continue under the effects of the coronal hole’s fast solar wind. G1 (minor) storm intervals are likely. Auroras may remain visible across northern Scotland, southern Alaska, and similar latitudes. By August 21, though, effects of the high-speed stream may start to wane.

Sun news August 18: Last night’s auroras

The blast of sun-stuff we were waiting for is here! It arrived at Earth and sparked a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm overnight last night. The chunk of solar stuff – known to scientists as a coronal mass ejection (CME) – left the sun on August 14. Forecasters had expected it by late on August 17, so it ran a little late. But it got here! And it brought conditions for auroral displays. We have already received sighting reports from Alaska and Canada. The Kp 5 storm lasted for one three-hour synoptic period. Disturbances have reached most of the northern tier of the United States, from Washington State across Montana and North Dakota to northern Michigan and Maine.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 17 – 11 UTC August 18)

Flare activity: Solar activity continued at low levels, with only C (common) flares over the past day, 8 flares in all.

• The strongest flare was a C4.0 from sunspot region AR4507 peaking at 6:43 UTC on August 18.
• Lead flare producer: AR4510 in the northwest fired 4 flares. AR4507 followed closely with 3 C flares. Meanwhile, AR4506 produced one.

Sunspot regions: Currently, the Earth-facing solar disk shows 4 numbered sunspot regions. Notably, 2 continue to show interesting magnetic configurations that could produce moderate flares, or even X (strong) flares.

• AR4506 (beta-gamma): This region kept its gamma. As a result, it maintains potential for further C and even M (moderate) flares. But it’s now getting closer to the sun’s west horizon as viewed from Earth. It produced only one C flare during the past day.
• AR4507 (beta-gamma-delta): This region produced the strongest flare of the past day. It also continued its rapid growth in the past day, developing a delta complexity. Consequently, it now has potential for stronger flares, including M and even X flares. It ranks as the largest sunspot region in extent on the side of the sun’s disk we see from Earth.
• AR4508 (beta): This region stayed stable and produced no flares.
• AR4510 (beta): This region is getting close to the western limb. Even so, it remained quite active during the period, topping the flare producer list.

Blasts from the sun? Three coronal mass ejection (CME) stories are ongoing:

• CME from August 14 (arrived): It got here early on August 18. So far, it has brought a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storming.
• CME from August 16 (analyzed): This CME erupted at approximately 19:48 UTC on August 16, alongside the C8.2 flare from AR4506. After modeling and analysis, specialists determined this chunk of solar stuff is not heading toward Earth.
• CME from August 17 (under analysis): Observers spotted a narrow CME at 18:45 UTC on August 17 near the northwest horizon. Initial analysis suggests the blast is not coming our way. But modeling continues.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind speeds increased to moderate levels starting at 21 UTC on August 17. They have held there through the time of this report.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field increased to strong levels. It then eased to moderate strength by 6 UTC this morning. Meanwhile, the Bz component pointed southward during most of the period. That southward orientation opened the door for the auroras. At around 4:30 UTC this morning, though, it shifted northward.

Earth’s magnetic field: Earth’s magnetic field stayed quiet-to-unsettled through much of the past day. It then reached active and storm levels, with Kp values ranging from 2 to 5. G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm conditions occurred, with Kp reaching 5 at 5:05 UTC this morning, August 18. At the time of this writing, the Kp index sits at level 4.

Sun news August 17: Sun-stuff blast headed to Earth

Earth is bracing for a one-two punch of solar weather over the coming days. Firstly, the great rope of solar material we mentioned yesterday – a coronal mass ejection (CME) that left the sun on August 14 – should sweep past our planet later today or early tomorrow. What does that mean for us? Forecasters expect G1 (minor) to G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storms on arrival. That could bring auroras to Alaska, much of Canada, and the northern tier of the United States, from Washington state across Montana and North Dakota to northern Michigan and Maine. Across the Atlantic, Scotland and northern England may catch a show as well. And a second punch may follow. The sun launched another burst of sun-stuff with yesterday’s strongest flare, a C8.2 from AR4506. Initial analysis points to an arrival at Earth around August 20, though with only modest effects.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 16 – 11 UTC August 17)

Flare activity: Solar activity remained at low levels. Observers recorded 15 C-class flares. No M-class or X-class events occurred during the period.

• Strongest flare: A C8.2 from active region AR4506 peaking at 19:01 UTC on August 16. It fell just shy of the M-class threshold. Even so, this vigorous event produced an associated CME that’s now under analysis.
• Lead flare producer: AR4506 fired 7 of the 15 flares, including the C8.2 plus several others ranging from C1.5 to C2.1.
• Other notable flares: AR4507 contributed 6 flares (C1.0 to C2.3). Its strongest was a C2.3 at 2:13 UTC on August 17.

Sunspot regions: The Earth-facing solar disk displayed five numbered sunspot regions. Notably, two now show complex magnetic configurations that can produce moderate flares.

• AR4506 (beta-gamma): The period’s most prolific flare producer. This region now sits west of the center disk. It recently developed new intermediate spots. As a result, it maintains potential for further C-class and possibly M-class flaring as it approaches the western horizon.
• AR4507 (beta-gamma): The second most active region, producing frequent low-level C-class flares. The UK Met Office noted this region grew fairly rapidly over the past 24 hours.
• AR4508 (beta): This region produced minor C-class flaring. Otherwise, it stayed stable.
• AR4510 and the remaining numbered regions stayed generally simple and stable, or in gradual decay. However, AR4510 did produce a C2.0 flare late in the period.

Blasts from the sun? Two coronal mass ejection (CME) stories are ongoing, one imminent and one developing.

• CME from August 14 (imminent arrival): The CME that departed the sun on August 14 should arrive at Earth later on August 17 or during August 18, according to NOAA SWPC and UK Met Office forecasts. Forecasters assess G1 (minor) to G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm conditions as likely upon arrival.
• CME from August 16 (under analysis): A CME erupted at approximately 19:48 UTC on August 16, alongside the C8.2 flare from AR4506. One model run predicts Earth arrival around 12:00 UTC on August 20. Kp estimates reach 3 to 4, depending on CME orientation.
• NOAA notes the C8.2-associated CME is still under analysis for a potential Earth-directed component. Additional imagery may refine these predictions.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind conditions were slightly below the normal background level.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) total strength held at low levels. Meanwhile, the Bz component was weakly variable, with no sustained southward turns.

Earth’s magnetic field: Earth’s magnetic field stayed quiet throughout the period, with Kp values ranging from 0 to 2. No geomagnetic storms occurred.

Sun news August 16: ‘Rope’ of sun stuff en route to Earth

A rope of solar material and magnetic fields is on its way to Earth! It left the sun on August 14, when an arching filament lifted off and hurled plasma into space. Models now show this coronal mass ejection (CME) bearing down on our planet. Forecasters expect it to arrive late on August 17. When it hits, it should spark G1 (minor) geomagnetic storms, with a chance of G2 (moderate) levels if its magnetic field turns southward on arrival. In North America, that could bring auroras to Alaska, much of Canada, and the northern tier of the United States, from Washington state across Montana and North Dakota to northern Michigan and Maine. Across the Atlantic, Scotland, northern England, and Northern Ireland might catch a show on August 17. Down south, southern New Zealand and Tasmania could see displays too. Keep in mind, though, that forecasting centers disagree on the timing. Some models point to late on August 17, while others estimate a glancing blow as late as August 19.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 15 – 11 UTC August 16)

Flare activity: Solar activity remained at low to moderate levels. Observers recorded 14 C-class flares and several B-class events. No M-class or X-class flares occurred over the past day.

• The strongest flare was a C3.7 from sunspot region AR4507 at 3:31 UTC on August 16. As a C-class event, it produced no radio blackout.
• Other notable flares: NOAA logged a C3.3 from AR4508 at 8:18 UTC on August 15 as the strongest event of the earlier portion of our reporting period (11 UTC August 15 – 11 UTC August 16). There was also a C3.2 from AR4507 at 14:38 UTC on August 15, a C2.7 from AR4506 at 02:42 UTC on August 16, and a C2.3 from AR4506 at 04:37 UTC on August 16.
• Lead flare producer: Sunspot region AR4507 topped the list, firing at least 10 events (both C- and B-class), including the period’s strongest flare. Meanwhile, AR4506 contributed six C-class flares in a concentrated burst between roughly 1 and 7 UTC on August 16.

Sunspot regions: The Earth-facing solar disk displayed at least six numbered active regions. Several exhibited notable growth.

• AR4507 (with a beta magnetic configuration) was the period’s most prolific flare producer. It grew and developed new intermediate spots, with some polarity mixing, as the UK Met Office noted. This evolution bears watching for potential increases in flare productivity.
• AR4506 (beta): This region also showed growth. Moreover, it produced that notable burst of C-class flaring overnight. As it nears the western limb, foreshortening is making assessment more difficult.
• AR4508 (beta): This region produced the C3.3 flare at 08:18 UTC on August 15, the strongest event of the first half of the period.
• AR4512 (beta): This region received its number during the period. It showed growth, so forecasters will monitor it for further development.
• The remaining numbered active regions stayed mostly stable or in gradual decay. Notably, no complex magnetic configurations, beta-gamma or delta, appeared anywhere on the disk.

Blasts from the sun? Observers spotted no new Earth-directed CMEs during the period. They cataloged two CMEs from August 15: one at 11:36 UTC (402 km/s) and another at 13:48 UTC (253 km/s). But neither should impact Earth. The SIDC also identified far-sided CMEs on August 14 (CMEs 708 and 709) that pose no threat. Instead, the key CME for the forecast remains the one launched on August 14 and now heading toward Earth.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind conditions reflected a typical slow-wind regime throughout the period. Speeds stayed low, ranging between approximately 330 and 380 km/s.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The IMF total strength stayed under 5 nT (low) according to NOAA. Meanwhile, the Bz component was weakly variable, fluctuating between approximately -6 and +4 nT. It never held a sustained southward orientation. As a result, conditions did not favor significant aurora production.

Earth’s magnetic field: Earth’s magnetic field ranged from quiet to unsettled levels over the past 24 hours. The Kp index ranged from 0+ to 2+ globally. Conditions crossed no G-scale geomagnetic storm thresholds.

Sun news August 15: A sun blast is headed Earth’s way

It’s now confirmed that the filament that we reported yesterday produced a component that’s headed Earth’s way. Estimated arrival time is August 17. It might bring geomagnetic storming up to G1 (minor) levels with subsequent auroral displays. A filament is a great rope of solar material and magnetic fields. Take a look at our top image. You can see a 2nd eruption, too, which happened at around 12 UTC on Augusts 14. Is it also sending a sun blast toward Earth? We don’t know yet. We’ll wait to hear what specialists have to say. Stay tuned.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 14 – 11 UTC August 15)

Flare activity: Solar flare activity is at low levels, and flaring increased over the past day. Our sun produced a total of 11 events: four C (common) flares, plus seven B (weak) flares.

• The strongest flare: was a C4.3 from sunspot region AR4508 in the sun’s northeast. It peaked at 21:51 UTC on August 14.
• Lead flare producer: Sunspot region AR4506 in the northwest was at the top of the list, producing six of the 11 flares of this period: two Cs and four Bs.

Sunspot regions: Currently our sun shows six numbered active regions on the side as we see it from Earth. Sunspot region AR4507 lost its gamma magnetic complexity and is now showing a simpler beta configuration. All the rest of the active regions on the Earth-facing solar disk carry either a simpler alpha or beta magnetic configuration. So strong flaring in the coming day is not expected.

Blasts from the sun? As mentioned above, the filament eruption we reported yesterday produced a component that’s heading Earth’s way.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind speeds averaged moderate-low levels during the whole period. Otherwise, there’s no significant space weather to report.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) total strength (Bt) decreased from moderate levels to weak levels throughout the period. Meanwhile, the Bz component initially pointed southward for most of the period, until 3 UTC this morning August 15, when the Bz shifted northward for a 3 hours peak. These long south-oriented stretches favor auroral displays. At the end of this observation period, the Bz returned pointing southward.

Earth’s magnetic field: The geomagnetic field showed quiet-to-unsettled levels over the past day, at Kp 0-3. At the time of this writing, the Kp index sits just above level 0.

Sun news August 14: A fiery filament blasted into space this morning

We watched as a filament lifted off the sun’s surface this morning. The filament – a great rope of solar material and magnetic fields – was near sunspot region AR4507. It lifted its arc and hurled solar plasma into space. Now we await analysis from specialists to determine whether any component is heading toward Earth, perhaps to spark auroras in Earth’s magnetic field. By the way, photos from this week’s total solar eclipse over Spain are still pouring in to our community page. See many beautiful eclipse images here.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 13 – 11 UTC August 14)

Flare activity: Solar flare activity increased from from very low to low levels over the past day. Flare production totaled nine events: two C (common) plus seven B (weak) flares.

• Strongest flare: A C4.1 from sunspot region AR4503 in the southwest at 7:01 UTC on August 14.
• Lead flare producer: AR4507 in the northeast topped the list, producing six of the nine flares of this period. All were B flares.

Sunspot regions: The Earth-facing side of our sun shows seven numbered active regions today. Two newcomers received numbers this period: AR4510 in the northwest and AR4511 in the southeast quadrant. Notably, AR4507 developed a gamma magnetic complexity, indicating a possible potential for flaring. Today it shows a beta-gamma configuration. The rest of the active regions on the Earth-viewed solar disk carry either a simpler alpha or beta magnetic configuration.

Blasts from the sun? Observers spotted the abovementioned filament eruption at around 3:30 UTC on August 14. Analysis is ongoing to determine whether any component is coming toward Earth.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind speeds averaged moderate to moderate-low levels during the period.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) total strength (Bt) peaked at moderate levels at 21 UTC on August 13. It then returned to weak levels throughout the rest of the period. Meanwhile, the Bz component pointed southward for most of the period, with only weak northward peaks. These long south-oriented stretches favor auroral displays. At the end of this observation period, the Bz continues pointing southward.

Earth’s magnetic field: The geomagnetic field reached unsettled levels during our observation period, at Kp 1-3. At the time of this writing, the Kp index sits just above level 2.

Sun news August 13: It was an outstanding total solar eclipse!

What an amazing total solar eclipse! Yesterday’s event delivered one of nature’s grandest spectacles. Observers in Greenland, Iceland and Spain all fell within the path of totality. However, reports from Greenland and Iceland indicate clouds obscured the view. So it seems Spain got the best of it. Meanwhile, beautiful photos have been pouring in from readers. See many beautiful eclipse images here. And thank you to everyone who joined us via livestream. This glorious total eclipse left memorable moments for all who witnessed it.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 12 – 11 UTC August 13)

Flare activity: Solar flare activity dropped to very low levels, with fewer flares and only B (weak) flares. During this period, the sun fired just seven flares, compared to 16 the day before. Moreover, every one of them was a faint B flare.

• Strongest flare: A B7.4 from an incoming, still-unnumbered sunspot region in the southeast at 2:24 UTC on August 13.
• Lead flare producer: AR4503 shared top honors with that recently emerged sunspot region in the sun’s southeast quadrant. Each produced two B flares over the past day.

Sunspot regions: Currently, our star shows five numbered active regions on its Earth-facing side. A newcomer that emerged in the northwest quadrant received its number this period: AR4509. Notably, none show strong magnetic complexity. Instead, all carry either a simpler alpha or beta magnetic configuration.

• AR4503 (beta): This region exhibited new magnetic emergence.
• AR4506 (beta): This region also showed new magnetic emergence.
• AR4507 (beta): This prolific newcomer consolidated during the period.
• AR4508 (alpha): This sunspot region remained stable.
• AR4509 (beta): This region emerged from nowhere in the northwest.

Blasts from the sun? Observers spotted no Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) during the past day.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind speeds averaged moderate levels during the period.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) total strength (Bt) decreased from moderate to weak levels throughout the period. Meanwhile, the Bz component kept pointing mostly northward, much like the day before, with just a couple of weak southward peaks. As a result, forecasters expect no auroral displays in the coming days. At the end of this observation period, though, the Bz shifted slightly southward.

Earth’s magnetic field: The geomagnetic field increased from quiet to unsettled levels during our reporting period, with Kp 0-3. There were no G1 disturbances to report. At the time of this writing, the Kp index sits just at level 2.

Sun news August 12: Woo hoo! Total solar eclipse today!

Another long-awaited total solar eclipse day is here! It’s one of nature’s grandest spectacles. The total solar eclipse path will cross Greenland, Iceland and Spain. We will cover the whole thing via livestream. Join us to follow every detail of this monumental event. And today isn’t just an eclipse day. One of the most prolific meteor showers of 2026, the Perseids, are also peaking now. Read about the Perseids. Will anyone catch a meteor streak across the sky while it’s darkened during totality? We’d hoped for a third event from the sky: a geomagnetic storm, bringing auroras. At this point, that’s not looking promising. The anticipated coronal mass ejection, or CME, either arrived as a weak glancing blow or is running late. Our fingers are still crossed. But expert forecasters currently anticipate only weak geomagnetic disturbances at eclipse time. Still, intrepid scientists will be in Iceland, hoping for auroras during the eclipse! Read about Dr. Liz McDonald’s pursuit of this dream here. Interested in the aurora forecast for Iceland at eclipse time? IcelandatNight has updates. And, as Liz says:

Even a non-sighting would be worth reporting on Aurorasaurus.org.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 11 – 11 UTC August 12)

Flare activity: Solar flare activity continued at low levels with C (common) and B (weak) flares. But flare production notably increased. The sun fired a total of 16 flares over the past day, in contrast to just five the day before. This period’s tally: four C flares and 12 B flares.

• Strongest flare: A C2.5 from AR4507 at 23:04 UTC on August 11.
• Lead flare producer: AR4507 rapidly claimed the top spot. This recently emerged sunspot region in the sun’s southeast quadrant produced seven flares over the past day. AR4508 followed with five flares.

Sunspot regions: Our star has four numbered active regions on the Earth-facing side. None show strong magnetic complexity. Instead, all carry either a simpler alpha or beta magnetic configuration. Meanwhile, two newcomers emerged in the eastern solar hemisphere: AR4507 in the southeast and AR4508 in the northeast.

• AR4503 (beta): This region remained stable during the period with no flare production. Rather, it showed signs of decay.
• AR4506 (beta): This region stayed stable. It also produced one B flare in the past day.
• AR4507 (beta): This prolific newcomer rapidly became the lead flare producer of the period.
• AR4508 (alpha): We mentioned this active region yesterday. It still sits too close to the horizon for a complete analysis. Even so, it appears the largest on the Earth-facing solar disk.

Blasts from the sun? Observers spotted no Earth-directed CMEs during the past day.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind speeds increased from low to moderate levels during the period.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) total strength (Bt) continued at moderate levels throughout the period. Meanwhile, the Bz component kept pointing largely northward, much like yesterday, with just a couple of weak southward peaks. The geomagnetic door stayed mostly shut. Translation: conditions weren’t promising for aurora watchers over the past day. At the end of this observation period, the Bz held its north orientation.

Earth’s magnetic field: The geomagnetic field increased from quiet to unsettled levels during our reporting period, with Kp 0-3. The Kp index climbed slightly above level 3 during one three-hour synoptic period. Notably, no G1 disturbances occurred. At the time of this writing, the Kp index sits just below level 3.

Sun news August 11: Huge sun blast aimed at Earth

Remember that fiery prominence we reported on August 8? It hurled a huge amount of solar plasma into space. Now that material is aimed right at us here on Earth. The solar material and magnetic fields, known as a coronal mass ejection or CME, should create disturbances in Earth’s magnetic field tomorrow, August 12. In fact, this CME could spark G1 (minor) and even G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storming. So consider yourselves alerted, aurora watchers at higher latitudes!

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 10 – 11 UTC August 11)

Flare activity: Solar flare activity stayed at low levels with faint C (common) and B (weak) flares during the period. Observers reported a total of five flares over the past day: two Cs and three Bs.

• Strongest flare: A C2.4 from AR4505 at 13:16 UTC on August 10. It was too small to provoke a radio blackout.
• Lead flare producer: AR4505, the recently emerged sunspot region on the sun’s northwest limb, continued dominating over the past day. It sparked three of the five flares of the period, including the strongest. This region emerged on August 9, then quickly rotated out of view as the sun’s rotation carried it to the far side. Hello and goodbye, AR4505!

Sunspot regions: Currently, the Earth-facing solar disk displays just three numbered active regions. Notably, all show either a simpler alpha or beta magnetic configuration. In addition, a newcomer emerged in the northeast quadrant, now officially numbered AR4506.

• AR4505 (beta): This region has rotated out of view.
• AR4503 (beta): This region showed a growing sunspot. It also produced one B flare in the past day.
• AR4504 (alpha): This region decayed to a unipolar group.
• AR4506 (beta): This region showed stable behavior with no flare production.

Blasts from the sun? Observers spotted no new Earth-directed CMEs during the past day. But two CMEs from August 8 remain under analysis for potential Earth impact in the coming days.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind parameters continued a gradual return to background conditions. Speeds decreased from moderate to low levels by the end of the period.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) total strength (Bt) held at moderate levels during the period. Meanwhile, the Bz component continued pointing largely northward throughout the reporting period, with just a couple of weak southward peaks. In other words, the geomagnetic door stayed mostly shut. Translation: conditions weren’t promising for aurora watchers over the past day. At the end of this observation period, though, the Bz shifted slightly to a weak south orientation. A south orientation is better for aurora prospects.

Earth’s magnetic field: The geomagnetic field held at quiet levels during our reporting period, with Kp 0-1. The Kp index climbed slightly above level 1 but never reached level 2. No G1 disturbances to Earth’s magnetic field occurred during this period. At the time of this writing, the Kp index sits just below level 1.

What’s ahead? Sun–Earth forecast

Flare activity forecast: Forecasters anticipate very low levels through August 12. Activity decreased as AR4505 rotated beyond the limb. The remaining regions, AR4503, AR4504, and AR4506, are simple and stable. The probability of M-class flares dropped from 25% yesterday to only 5% today. Likewise, X-class events are unlikely at 1%.

But keep an eye on the sun’s eastern horizon. A newcomer, not yet numbered, is showing its nose on that horizon. It looks much larger in extent than the other sunspot regions currently on the Earth-viewed disk. We will keep observing this region to find out what it might have in store.

Geomagnetic activity forecast:

• August 11: Anticipate quiet conditions for the rest of the day (Kp 3 or below). Moderate to background solar wind conditions should continue.
• August 12: Expect unsettled-to-active conditions, with the potential for an isolated active period that may bring G1 (minor) and even G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storming. The arrival of the CME from the August 8 filament eruption drives this outlook.
• August 13: Anticipate quiet-to-unsettled conditions, with the potential for Kp up to 4, as CME effects start to wane.

Sun news August 10 (UTC): Quiet sun has a slight uptick in flares

The newly numbered sunspot region AR4505 – on the sun’s northwest limb – wasted no time making its presence felt over the past day. It produced a steady stream of small C (common) flares beginning in mid-afternoon on August 9. The strongest was a C1.8 at 16:30 UTC. That’s a modest flare by the sun’s standards. Even so, it pushed solar activity overall back to low levels. Meanwhile, the solar wind environment around our planet continued to settle following the big blast of solar materials and magnetic fields (a coronal mass ejection or CME) that swept past Earth early on August 8. Looking ahead, forecasters are watching two CMEs that erupted on August 8. They could spark G1 (minor) geomagnetic storming, keeping aurora watchers at higher latitudes on alert.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 09 – 11 UTC August 10)

Flare activity: Solar activity returned to low levels (from very low) during the period. Observers recorded a total of 18 flares over the past day: 6 Cs (common) and 12 Bs (weak).

• Strongest flare: A C1.8 from AR4505 (N15W75) at 16:30 UTC on August 9. As a C-class event, it did not produce a radio blackout.
• Lead flare producer: A newly emerged sunspot region on the sun’s northwest limb, AR4505, dominated the past day. It fired 14 of the day’s 18 flares, including 5 of the 6 C-class events. The region emerged rapidly after 15 UTC on August 9. It then immediately began producing continuous small flares.

Sunspot regions: The Earth-facing solar disk displayed three numbered active regions during the past day. Overall, the disk now looks notably sparse. Several regions have now rotated beyond the sun’s western limb.

• AR4505 (N16W79, beta): The newest region on the disk emerged rapidly after 15 UTC on August 9. Despite its relatively simple beta magnetic configuration, it quickly became the most active region, producing continuous small C and B flares. But it already sits near the sun’s northwest limb (W79). So it’ll soon rotate out of view.
• AR4503: This region sits in the sun’s southeast quadrant and has a simple alpha magnetic configuration. It remained stable and quiet throughout the past day.
• AR4504: This region also sits in the sun’s southeast quadrant and has a beta magnetic configuration. It grew slightly over the past day. Still, it produced only B flares.
• Finally, AR4498, AR4500, and AR4502 were carried off the sun’s western limb by the sun’s rotation, over the past day. Solar Orbiter PHI imagery suggests no significant regions returning from the far side during our forecast window.

Blasts from the sun? Observers spotted no new Earth-directed CMEs during the reporting period. But two CMEs from August 8 remain under analysis for potential Earth impact in the coming days.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind parameters reflected a gradual return to background conditions following the CME passage early on August 8. Speeds gradually increased to moderate levels by the end of the period.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) total strength (Bt) started the period at a moderate level. It then decreased steadily on August 9. It held that level through the remainder of the past day. Meanwhile, the Bz component pointed largely northward during our reporting period. That kept the geomagnetic door mostly shut. Translation: Conditions weren’t promising for aurora-watchers over the past day.

Earth’s magnetic field: The geomagnetic field ranged from quiet-to-unsettled levels during our reporting period, with Kp values remaining below 4. The waning influence of the August 8 CME, combined with the largely northward Bz, allowed Earth’s magnetic field to settle.

Sun news August 9 (UTC): Sun blast sweeps Earth, sparking auroras

Earth’s magnetic field lit up overnight. A coronal mass ejection (CME) that left the sun on August 4 swept past our planet. It drove geomagnetic storming to G2 (moderate) levels. While summer twilight limited viewing for Northern Hemisphere observers, the long winter darkness of the Southern Hemisphere offered front-row seats to the show. Observers at higher latitudes, across northern Scotland, Scandinavia, and southern Canada, might have glimpsed faint auroras as conditions peaked. But we now know that the Southern Hemisphere did see dynamic aurora, captured by webcam at the South Pole. The strongest interval arrived between 18 to 21 UTC on August 8, when Kp hit 6. Meanwhile, the CMEs from August 3 appear to have passed with little effect.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 08 – 11 UTC August 09)

Flare activity: Solar activity remained at very low levels, with only B-class flares observed. This was the quietest 24 hours in recent days.

• The strongest flare was a B7.6 from sunspot regioin AR4504, peaking at 8:48 UTC on August 8. As a B-class event, it produced no radio blackout.
• Other flares: Observers recorded seven additional B-class flares, all below B5. AR4498 led by count with four flares (B4.8, B3.4, B3.4, B3.0). Meanwhile, AR4504 contributed three events (B7.6, B4.2, B3.0) and AR4502 produced one (B4.9).
• No C-class, M-class, or X-class flares occurred.

Sunspot regions: The Earth-facing solar disk displayed five numbered active regions. All stayed relatively simple and quiet, either stable or showing signs of decay.

• AR4504 (S19E39): This newly numbered region emerged during the period. It produced the strongest flare of the day, a B7.6. It shows a simple alpha/beta magnetic configuration with very small, weak spots.
• AR4498: This region led by flare count, producing four B-class flares. However, it maintained a simple magnetic configuration and showed no signs of significant growth.
• AR4502: This region contributed one B-class flare. It remained stable with simple unipolar spots.
• The remaining two numbered regions stayed quiet and stable, contributing no notable activity. In fact, all five regions consist of small, weak spots, either unipolar or simple bipolar. None display complex delta configurations. And, what’s more, current Solar Orbiter PHI imagery of the far side suggests no significant returning regions during the forecast period.

Blasts from the sun? Two filament eruptions occurred during the period. Both produced CMEs with potential Earth-directed components. No flare-associated CMEs appeared, consistent with the very low flare activity.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind parameters reflected the gradual arrival of the August 4 CME, beginning at approximately 5:50 UTC on August 8. Speeds rose from a sluggish 250 km/s to an average of about 350 km/s. That’s modest for a CME passage. Even so, the strong magnetic field embedded within the structure proved sufficient to drive significant geomagnetic activity.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The total interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) strength climbed from a quiet 2–4 nT to a peak of 19 nT at approximately 10:02 UTC on August 8. It then averaged around 15 nT for the remainder of the period. Meanwhile, the Bz component experienced two sustained intervals of strong southward deflection. The first lasted roughly 3 hours, with a minimum of -18 nT, starting around 09:00 UTC. The second lasted over 5 hours, with a minimum of -17 nT, starting around 16:15 UTC. These prolonged southward Bz intervals drove the G2 storming.

Earth’s magnetic field: Earth’s magnetic field ranged from quiet to G2 (Moderate) geomagnetic storm conditions over the past day. The period began quietly before the CME arrival. Conditions then escalated through unsettled and active levels (Kp 3–4) during the morning hours of August 8. They reached G1 (minor) storm levels (Kp 5) by midday on August 7. Finally, they peaked at G2 (Moderate) storm levels (Kp 6) during the 18-21 UTC interval on August 8, coinciding with the second deep southward Bz excursion. At Kp 6, aurora may have appeared over locations such as Toronto, Chicago, Boston, and northern England. However, summer twilight at high northern latitudes likely limited visual observations.

Sun news August 8: Is a CME striking Earth now?

The bursts of solar material our star hurled into space on August 3, 4, and 5 – known as coronal mass ejections, or CMEs – were expected to arrive late on August 7. But they didn’t arrive as expected. The solar wind, interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), and Bz component all stayed at low levels throughout the day yesterday. Then, early this morning (August 8), things changed. All these parameters began to increase at around 6 UTC on August 8. So will this uptick bring storming levels? Forecasters anticipate mild disturbances to Earth’s magnetic field, up to active levels (around Kp 4; the planetary K index is one way to indicate the magnitude of geomagnetic storms). Even so, isolated G1 geomagnetic storming (that’s a minor storm, equivalent to a Kp5) cannot be ruled out.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 7 – 11 UTC August 8)

Flare activity: Sun activity stayed very low over the last 24 hours. Our sun produced only B (weak) flares over the past day and five B flares in total.

• The strongest flare was a B7.6 from sunspot region AR4504 in the southeast at 8:58 UTC on August 8.
• Lead flare producer: Active sunspot region AR4504 was the only flare producer of the period, firing all five B flares.

Sunspot regions: Our sun shows four numbered active regions today on the side we see from Earth. The newcomer in the southeast, which we reported yesterday as already producing a B-flare, now has an official number: AR4504. Notably, it is the only one showing interesting magnetic complexity. It is small in extent, but it carries a beta-gamma configuration. The rest of the numbered regions on the solar disk stay mostly stable, with signs of decay, in alpha or beta configurations.

Blasts from the sun? Observers spotted no new CMEs in available coronagraph imagery over the past day.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind speeds stayed at low levels during most of the period. But, starting at 6 UTC this morning, August 8, speeds began increasing to moderate-low levels.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The total interplanetary magnetic field IMF continued at weak levels late yesterday and early today. Then, at around 6 UTC this morning, the IMF increased to strong levels. Meanwhile, the Bz component mostly showed weak northward peaks during the past day. At around 6 UTC on August 8, it strengthened, still pointing northward. It has held there as of this writing at 11 UTC on August 8.

Earth’s magnetic field: The geomagnetic field continued at very low levels (Kp 0-1) throughout the past day. At the time of this writing, the Kp index sits above level 1.

Sun news August 7: Sun’s tiny whirlpools finally revealed

Amazing images of the solar photosphere! The Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope, the world’s largest solar telescope at 4 meters (13 feet) in diameter, captured them. On August 5, 2026, the U.S. National Solar Observatory in Hawaii announced the accomplishment. The closest image resolves detail on an area of about 100 kilometers (about 60 miles), revealing structure never observed before. What did they find? Researchers spotted the signature of solar Kelvin-Helmholtz instability (explanation of what that is, above). To do it, the researchers enhanced the images using computer simulations, which offer a clear view of the phenomenon. In their report, they described it this way: Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability occurs when two fluids slide past each other at different velocities, creating a shear at the interface. Small disturbances then grow into striking wave-like or spiraling vortices that look like breaking ocean waves. Investigators had anticipated this process on the sun. But – until now – they’d never seen it this clearly.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 6 – 11 UTC August 7)

Flare activity: Sun activity continued at very low levels. The sun “sparked” eight times (for a total of eight flares). Our sun produced only one C (common) flare over the past day. The remaining seven were faint B (weak) flares.

• Strongest flare: A C1.0 from sunspot region AR4503 in the southeast at 19:26 UTC on August 6.
• Lead flare producer: Active sunspot region AR4500 in the northwest reached the top with three B flares. Meanwhile, AR4502 followed just behind with two B flares.

Sunspot regions: The Earth-facing side of the solar disk shows three numbered active regions today. In addition, a newcomer in the southeast, as yet unnumbered, has already produced a B flare. All the numbered regions on the disk show either simpler alpha or beta configurations. And all are mostly stable and show signs of decay.

• AR4498 (alpha): This region stayed stable but decayed into a unipolar sunspot region.
• AR4502 (beta): This region continued showing flux consolidation.
• AR4503 (beta): This region showed new flux production and consolidation. It also fired the only C flare of the period.

Blasts from the sun? Observers spotted no new coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in available coronagraph imagery. However, the anticipated CMEs the sun hurled out on August 3 may start reaching Earth late on August 7. Forecasters anticipate minor glancing blows, with enhancements possibly continuing through August 9.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind speeds decreased from moderately-low to low levels during this period. There was no significant space weather to report. That should change later today with the arrival of the expected CMEs.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The total interplanetary magnetic field continued at weak levels during the period. Meanwhile, the Bz component pointed southward late on August 6. Then, at around 16:30 UTC on August 6, it shifted northward. It stayed there until 2 UTC on August 7, when it returned to a southward orientation. It has held that direction until the time of this writing. Even so, both north and southward peaks stayed weak.

Earth’s magnetic field: The geomagnetic field held at very low levels (Kp 0) during this period. At the time of this writing, the Kp index sits slightly above level 0. All this should change with the arrival of chunks of solar material, which might deliver glancing blows and bring enhancements starting later today, August 7.

Sun news August 6: Confirmed, solar material approaching Earth

It’s now confirmed. Several bursts of solar material – coronal mass ejections, or CMEs – are heading our way at Earth. The first arrival should come on August 7. And effects may extend through August 9.

These are all the chunks of solar stuff we’ve been reporting after several filament eruptions during the week, from August 3 to yesterday. These are weak, faint CMEs, but their impact could be outsized because they’re arriving one after another. Combined with fast solar wind from a coronal hole, they could disturb our magnetic field up to G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm levels.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 5 – 11 UTC August 6)

Flare activity: Sun activity dropped to very low levels. Our star produced only B-class flares over the past day, five in total.

• Strongest flare: A B9.2 from active region AR4498 at 15:30 UTC on August 5.
• Lead flare producer: Active sunspot region AR4498 produced two of the five B flares of the period. Meanwhile, AR4499, AR4500, and AR4502 each produced one.

Sunspot regions: Currently, the sun shows four numbered active regions on its Earth-viewed side. The newcomer we reported yesterday now has an official number, AR4503. All the numbered regions on the disk show beta configurations. Moreover, all are mostly stable and show signs of decay.

• AR4498 (beta): This region decayed a little.
• AR4499 (beta): This region is decreasing in length and area. It is also ready to depart to the far side.
• AR4502 (beta): This region showed consolidation in its trailing spots.
• AR4503 (beta): This region now sits too close to the southeast horizon for a complete analysis. Observations will continue.

Blasts from the sun? Observers spotted no newer CMEs during the past 24 hours. However, the CMEs the sun hurled into space starting on August 3 may begin arriving at Earth on August 7. They should provide minor glancing blows that could continue through August 9.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind speeds averaged moderate to moderate-low levels during the whole period. There was no significant space weather to report.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The total interplanetary magnetic field continued at weak levels during the period. Meanwhile, the Bz component pointed mostly southward throughout most of the period. Even so, the southward peaks stayed weak. As a result, no G1 (minor) enhancements occurred.

Earth’s magnetic field: The geomagnetic field held at very low levels (Kp 0–1) during the period. At the time of this writing, the Kp index sits slightly above level 1.

Sun news August 5: Time for a Solar Cycle 25 update

It’s time for a new Solar Cycle 25 update! NOAA has now released the sunspot number – a measure of long-term solar activity – for July 2026. The number came in at 78.1, a decrease from June 2026’s 94.4. Why the drop? We did see a monster sunspot region like AR4493, plus the production of an X flare and a number of M flares. However, we only saw one day when the solar disk had 10 or more numbered sunspot regions on the side we see from Earth. And on most days through July, we counted just two or three. All of this contributed to the lower final sunspot number. Meanwhile, the peak of Solar Cycle 25 remains August 2024, with a sunspot value of 216.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 4 – 11 UTC August 5)

Flare activity: With only C-class and B-class flares fired over the past day, activity stays at very low. Our star produced a total of 11 flares: five C-class and six B-class. Compared to only three minor flares yesterday, that’s a noticeable jump.

• Strongest flare: A C1.7 from active region AR4502 at 6:22 UTC on August 5.
• Lead flare producer: A newcomer sunspot region on the southeast shoulder of the horizon, as yet unnumbered, topped the list. It fired four flares during this period: two Cs and two B flares.

Sunspot regions: The side of the solar disk we see from Earth shows five numbered active regions today.

• AR4498 (beta): This region lost its delta magnetic complexity. Today it shows a simpler beta configuration. It remains the largest in extent, though it suffered some fragmentation in its leader sunspot.
• AR4496 (alpha): This region has fully rotated to the far side.
• AR4499 (beta): This region showed signs of decay during this period.
• AR4500 (beta): This region exhibited some decay in its leading spot.
• AR4501 (beta): This region showed losses in its trailing spots.
• AR4502 (beta): This region continued showing significant growth over the past 24 hours.

Blasts from the sun? Observers continued to spot several coronal mass ejections (CMEs) during the past 24 hours. All of these CMEs came from lifting filament eruptions. Modeling and analysis continues. A minor glancing blow from this sun-stuff might occur on August 9.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind speeds averaged moderate-low levels during the whole period. There was no significant space weather to report.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The total interplanetary magnetic field showed weak strength during the period. Meanwhile, the Bz component pointed mostly northward throughout, with a few southward peaks. All in all, both orientations stayed weak.

Earth’s magnetic field: The geomagnetic field held at very low levels (Kp 0–1) during the period. At the time of this writing, the Kp index sits slightly above level 0.

Sun news August 4: Several bursts of sun-stuff fired from our star

Sun activity returned to very low levels in terms of flare production, with just one C-class (common) flare and two B-class (weak) flares fired over the past day. However, the solar disk still put on a show. Intense action from fiery filaments – long ropes of solar material – caused several eruptions.

Observers spotted several chunks of solar stuff, or coronal mass ejections (CMEs), soaring into space during these events. So far, specialists don’t foresee any major impacts to Earth, but modeling and analysis is ongoing. Stay with us and we will keep you updated.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 3 – 11 UTC August 4)

Flare activity: Flare activity dropped to very low levels and production decreased overall. Our star produced only three minor flares: one C-class (common) and two B-class (weak) flares during the period.

• Strongest flare: A C1.4 from active region AR4498 at 11:33 UTC on August 3.
• Lead flare producer: AR4498 topped the list, firing two flares during this period: the C1.4 mentioned above, plus a B-class flare. Meanwhile, an incoming, as-yet-unnumbered region sparked the second B flare of the period.

Sunspot regions: Currently, the solar disk displays 6 numbered active regions on the side we see from Earth.

• AR4498 (beta-delta): This region kept its delta configuration. It also remained the largest and most magnetically complex on the visible disk. For now, it’s attracting all the attention.
• AR4496 (alpha): This sunspot region now sits over the west horizon, poised to depart to the far side. It showed stability with a simpler alpha configuration.
• AR4499 (beta): This region showed growth in its trailing spots.
• AR4500 (beta): This region produced no flare activity and shows some signs of decay.
• AR4501 (beta): This region showed the most growth during the period. Therefore, it warrants monitoring in the coming days.
• AR4502 (beta): This region showed significant growth over the past 24 hours.
• AR4492: All gone. It has fully rotated out of view.

Blasts from the sun? Observers spotted several coronal mass ejections (CMEs) during the past 24 hours, associated with lifting filament eruptions. So far, they have detected no clearly Earth-directed CMEs. Nevertheless, modeling and analysis continue.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind speeds averaged moderate-low levels during the whole period, as effects from the CME began to wane.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The total interplanetary magnetic field was moderate for most of the period. Meanwhile, the Bz component pointed mostly southward during the whole period. That orientation opened the door for significant energy transfer into Earth’s magnetosphere.

Earth’s magnetic field: The geomagnetic field ranged from quiet to active levels (Kp 2–4) during the period. Effects of the passing CME showed up as a Kp 4 level. Conditions first reached that threshold at 21 UTC on August 3. At the time of this writing, the Kp index sits at level 3, as CME enhancements continue to wane.

Sun news August 3: Big sun blast sparks geomagnetic storm and auroras

Earth’s magnetic field lit up yesterday from a huge blast of solar material and magnetic fields from the sun. A coronal mass ejection (CME) slammed into our planet’s magnetosphere around midday on August 2. Forecasters believe the impact was either a slow-moving CME launched on July 27, or a glancing blow from a July 30 eruption. Either way, it drove geomagnetic storm conditions to G2 (moderate) levels. As a result, auroral displays became possible across northern Scotland, Scandinavia, and similar high-latitude locations. Did you see them? Post your photo to our community page!

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 2 – 11 UTC August 3)

Flare activity: The sun itself took a breather over the past day. Flare production remained at low levels, with only minor C-class (common) or weaker flares recorded. Observers logged 2 C-class and 2 B-class (weak) flares during the period.

• Strongest flare: NOAA noted a C6.3 flare from an area around the northwest limb at 05:35 UTC on August 2 as the largest event of the broader 24-hour summary. But it fell just before our reporting window. Within the 11 UTC to 11 UTC window, the strongest flare was a C1.3 from sunspot region AR4492 at 14:41 UTC on August 2.
• In addition, sunspot region AR4498 fired a C1.0 flare at 00:39 UTC on August 3.

Sunspot regions: The Earth-facing solar disk displayed approximately seven to 10 numbered active regions during the period. The SIDC identified ten groups, while NOAA focused on the most significant ones.

• AR4498 (beta-delta): This region continued as the largest and most magnetically complex on the visible disk. It features a moderately large lead spot, plus a cluster of peripheral minor spots to the south that includes a weak delta configuration. As it approaches center disk, it remains the primary source for elevated flare potential.
• AR4499: Located just northeast of AR4498, this region drew the SIDC’s attention as the most magnetically complex (beta-delta). It also produced most of the minor flaring activity. But it showed overall weakening in recent imagery.
• AR4501 (beta): This region showed the most growth during the period. So it warrants monitoring in the coming days.
• AR4492: This region produced the C6.3 and C1.3 flares. But it now sits at the extreme northwest limb and is rotating out of view.
• Finally, a moderate-size bipolar region in the southwest quadrant, likely AR4496, provided some additional flare potential. Even so, it showed recent decay in its trailing portion. The remaining regions stayed relatively simpler, smaller and largely stable, with only minor changes.

Blasts from the sun? Observers spotted no Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in available coronagraph imagery during the period. They did catalog one non-Earth-directed CME.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: A CME-driven interplanetary shock dramatically reshaped solar wind conditions when it arrived at 11:29 UTC on August 2. Before the shock, solar wind speeds sat at a sluggish 290 km/s. The shock then drove speeds sharply to about 350 km/s. From there, they climbed unsteadily to a peak of 440 km/s by 17:17 UTC. Afterward, speeds eased below 400 km/s following 22:00 UTC. Solar wind density also jumped from 4 to 33 particles per cubic centimeter during the shock arrival.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The total interplanetary magnetic field jumped from 4 nT to about 14 nT at shock onset. It eventually peaked at a strong 22 nT around 15:00 UTC. Meanwhile, the Bz component initially dropped to –8 nT. Then it plunged to –17 nT at 15:02 UTC. That deeply southward orientation opened the door for significant energy transfer into Earth’s magnetosphere. By around 19 UTC, the Bz rotated northward and stayed mostly moderate in strength.

Earth’s magnetic field: The geomagnetic field stayed quiet (Kp 0–2) during the first half of the past day. Then it responded vigorously to the CME arrival. Conditions escalated rapidly, reaching G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm levels (Kp 6) between approximately 12:00–21:00 UTC on August 2. Across multiple three-hour synoptic periods, Kp ranged from 3–5, meaning active to G1 (minor) storm conditions. Notably, the peak storm interval coincided with the deeply southward Bz near 15:00 UTC. After the Bz rotated northward around 19:00 UTC, activity gradually subsided. Aurora may have appeared over locations such as Edinburgh, northern England and similar latitudes. However, short summer nights limited viewing opportunities.