Sun news: Two M flares from promising sunspot region

Sun news July 9: Two M flares from promising sunspot region

(11 UTC July 8 – 11 UTC July 9)

Today’s top story: Thanks to a couple of M flares, sun activity remained at moderate levels over the past day. Sunspot region AR4482 produced both M flares. This is the largest region on the solar disk currently, and has the maximum possible magnetic complexity: beta-gamma-delta. That means it has the potential to fire more M flares and even X flares. This region already fired an X flare when it first appeared on the northeast horizon, so let’s see if it has any more in store!

Past 24 hours on the sun

Flare activity: Over the past day, solar activity continued at moderate levels thanks to a couple of M-class (moderate) flares. In total, the sun fired 7 flares: 2 M-class (moderate), 2 C-class (common), and 3 B-class (weak).

• Strongest flare: M1.5 from AR4482, peaking at 17:56 UTC on July 8. It triggered an R1 (minor) radio blackout over the northeast coast of Mexico.
• Second M flare: An M1.2 from AR4482 at 2:27 UTC on July 9. This flare produced a corresponding R1 (minor) radio blackout over the Philippine Sea.
• Lead flare producer: AR4485 again topped the list with 5 flares during this period: 2 C-class and 3 B-class flares.

Sunspot regions: The Earth-viewed solar disk today shows 5 numbered active regions. Two newcomers were officially numbered during this period: AR4486 and AR4487.

• AR4482 (beta-gamma-delta): This region remained the most magnetically complex on the disk. It has the potential for more M-class flares, and even another X-class event.
• AR4485 (beta-gamma): This region grew somewhat and developed a gamma configuration during the period. For a second day running, it ranked as the most active region.
• AR4481 (beta), AR4486 (beta), and AR4487 (beta): All three remained stable, with no flare activity over the past day.

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

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind speeds averaged at moderate levels during the period. Meanwhile, the total interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) strength remained at moderate-to-strong levels. The Bz component pointed strongly southward for most of the period, with only a few weak northward peaks. At the time of this writing, it continues to point south. As a result, magnetic coupling stayed open for aurora activity.

Earth’s magnetic field: Over the past day, the geomagnetic field stayed quiet (Kp 1–3). Forecasters observed no geomagnetic storm levels during the period. At the time of this writing, the Kp index sits at level 1.

What’s ahead? Sun–Earth forecast

Flare activity forecast: Forecasters continue to expect low-to-moderate levels today. The chance for M-class (moderate) flares sits at 40%. Meanwhile, the chance for an X-class (strong) flare holds at 10%. AR4482 remains the main driver of solar activity now. Given its beta-gamma-delta complexity, all eyes are on this region. In addition, forecasters added AR4485 to the watch list as a potential flare producer, since it developed a gamma configuration.

Geomagnetic activity forecast:

• July 9: Expect unsettled-to-active conditions. A coronal hole’s high-speed stream should begin affecting Earth. In addition, the fast CME from July 5 has a modeled arrival around 6 UTC. Therefore, G1 (minor) geomagnetic storms cannot be ruled out.
• July 10-11: Active conditions may extend through July 11. G1 storming levels remain possible with the arrival of a CIR (co-rotating interaction region) combined with fast solar wind from a coronal hole.

Sun news July 8: Wham! Huge filament eruption in the northeast

(11 UTC July 7 – 11 UTC July 8)

A huge, fiery eruption lit up the solar northeast at 21 UTC last night. It came in the same area we were watching on Monday, when a fiery prominence erupted almost in sync with another in the opposite direction. But last night’s eruption was much bigger and stronger. Interestingly, no flare accompanied this powerful blast, and no sunspot region sits near the area. It was simply a lifting filament – a rope of solar material and magnetic fields – that violently erupted into space. It’s a spectacular reminder that the sun doesn’t need sunspots to put on a show!

Past 24 hours on the sun

Flare activity: Over the past day, solar activity increased to moderate with an isolated M-class (moderate) flare. In total, the sun fired 6 flares: 1 M-class (moderate), 4 C-class (common), and 1 B-class (weak).

• Strongest flare: M4.0 from AR4482, peaking at 14:19 UTC on July 7. It triggered an R1 (minor) radio blackout over the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
• Lead flare producer: AR4485 topped the list with 3 flares during the period. And AR4482 closely followed with 2 flares, including the M4.0.

Sunspot regions: Currently, our sun shows 3 numbered active regions on its Earth-facing side.

• AR4482 (beta-gamma-delta): This region developed a delta component during the period. It now ranks as both the largest region in extent and the most magnetically complex on the disk. And it carries real potential for more M-class flares and even another X-class event like the one it already produced.
• AR4485 (beta) and AR4481 (beta): Both continue to show simple beta configurations. AR4485 was the most active region of the period. But AR4481 remained stable, with no flare activity over the past day.
• AR4478 (beta-gamma): This region has already departed to the far side.

Blasts from the sun? Ejecta was observed hurtling into space during the M4.0 flare. That event is under further analysis to determine if a component is heading our way to Earth. Meanwhile, the coronal mass ejections (CMEs) seen during the northeast filament eruption appear, on initial analysis, to be directed well away from Earth.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind speeds were at moderate levels early in the period. But around 18 UTC on July 7, they began to decrease to moderate-to-low levels. Meanwhile, the total interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) strength stayed moderate. And the Bz component pointed southward for the whole period. It held that strong southward direction through the time of this writing. As a result, magnetic coupling stayed open for aurora activity.

Earth’s magnetic field: Over the past day, the geomagnetic field stayed quiet (Kp 0–3). At the time of this writing, the Kp index sits just above level 3.

Sun news July 7: Monstrous sunspots depart with a fiery show

(11 UTC July 6 – 11 UTC July 7)

The monstrous sunspot regions that put on an impressive show over the past week have now fully departed to the far side of our star. As they crossed the western horizon, these active regions continued to show off their power, producing fiery jets and prominences. Now, with the big active regions on the far side, nearly all flare responsibility on the Earth-viewed side falls to active region AR4482. And with a beta-gamma complexity, this region is showing promising potential.

Past 24 hours on the sun

Flare activity: Solar activity dropped to low levels over the past day. Observers registered 5 flares, all C-class (common) events.

• Strongest flare: A C3.8 from active region AR4479 peaking at 18:40 UTC on July 6.
• Lead flare producer: AR4482 and AR4478 ended tied at the top. Each produced two C flares during this period.

Sunspot regions: Currently, 4 numbered active regions appear on the Earth-facing solar disk.

• • AR4478 (beta-gamma): This region now sits at the very edge of the southwest horizon. It will soon depart to the far side.
  • AR4482 (beta-gamma): This region ranks as the largest active region and has a promising beta-gamma magnetic complexity.
  • AR4485 (beta) and AR4481 (beta): Both have a simple beta configuration and remained stable with no flare production over the past day.

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

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind conditions gradually eased from moderate to moderate-low levels during this period.

Bz and magnetic coupling: Meanwhile, the interplanetary magnetic field total strength (Bt) remained relatively weak. The Bz component pointed southward during the first half of the period. Then, starting at around 0 UTC this morning, it shifted northward. It has held that direction until the time of this writing. As a result, aurora activity stayed subdued.

Earth’s magnetic field: The geomagnetic field showed very quiet levels throughout the period. This corresponds to Kp values of 0–2. At the time of this writing, the Kp index sits just below 2.

Sun news July 6: AR4479 exits the stage with a bang

(11 UTC July 5 – 11 UTC July 6)

The sun fired off a barrage of flares over the past 24 hours. Forecasters logged 6 M-class (moderate) flares and 15 C-class (common) flares during the period, nearly all of which came from the prolific sunspot AR4479. The most powerful of these was an M5.3 from AR4479 at 17:51 UTC yesterday, which caused an R2 (moderate) radio blackout across the Americas. It was an impressive farewell from AR4479, with this prolific flare factory now having rotated almost fully out of view over the western horizon.

Past 24 hours on the sun

Flare activity: Solar activity remained high. Observers recorded 21 flares: 6 M-class and 15 C-class events.

• Strongest flare: An M5.3 from AR4479 peaking at 17:51 UTC on July 5. It triggered an R2 (moderate) radio blackout. The blackout temporarily degraded high-frequency radio communications across the sunlit Americas and eastern Pacific. This affected aviation and maritime operations.
• Other M-class flares: M1.4 at 16:41 UTC on July 5 from AR4479; M1.4 at 16:21 UTC on July 5 from AR4479; M1.4 at 18:56 UTC on July 5 from AR4479; M1.0 at 21:14 UTC on July 5 from AR4479. In addition, AR4478 fired an M1.4 at 11:00 UTC on July 5, that region’s sole notable contribution. All M-class events produced R1 (minor) radio blackouts.
• Lead flare producer: AR4479 produced the overwhelming majority of activity. It fired at least 18 of the 21 flares, including all six M-class events and most of the stronger C-class flares (C9.6, C9.5, C8.1, C7.3, C6.1, C5.9, C5.0 and others).

Sunspot regions: The Earth-facing solar disk displayed seven numbered active regions. Forecasters cataloged 2 new regions during the period.

• • AR4479 (beta-gamma-delta) dominated flare production and now sits right on the western limb. The viewing angle now makes detailed magnetic analysis difficult. Even so, sustained high flare output strongly suggests at least one delta configuration persists. This region produced the vast majority of the period’s activity. We expect it to rotate out of view by July 7.
  • AR4478 (beta-gamma) ranked as the second-most complex region on the disk. However, it stayed mostly quiet this period aside from a lone M1.4 flare. The trailing portion continued to decay.

The remaining regions hold either of alpha or beta complexity.

Blasts from the sun? Observers spotted several coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in LASCO coronagraph imagery during the period. However, the vast majority lacked an Earth-directed component.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind conditions gradually eased to near normal as the lingering influence of the June 30 CME faded.

Bz and magnetic coupling: Meanwhile, the interplanetary magnetic field total strength (Bt) remained relatively weak, keeping aurora activity subdued.

Earth’s magnetic field: The geomagnetic field held at a steady unsettled-to-active level throughout the period. This corresponds to Kp values of 2–3. After a round of geomagnetic storms and auroras over the weekend, no geomagnetic storm thresholds were reached over the past day.

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Bottom line: Sun news July 9, 2026: Two M flares kept activity at moderate levels, both from the potent AR4482. What’s next from this sunspot group?

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