Sun news: A synchronized double sun eruption

Sun news July 28: A synchronized double sun eruption

Today’s top story: The sun returned to a low flare level over the past day, producing C-class (common) flares only. But our star still surprised us by blasting out two synchronized eruptions. The first started at around 6 UTC on July 27. It was a huge filament eruption, hurling tons of plasma into space. The event was centered over the sun’s central meridian, or midline, just north of where it meets the solar equator. Remarkably, as this filament eruption began, a huge prominence appeared on the sun’s northwest horizon. That signaled a similar event on the far side. Together, they made a dramatic, eye-catching show worth a look. And the chunk of solar material sent into space is now being modeled and analyzed to determine which components are Earth-bound.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC July 27 – 11 UTC July 28)

Flare activity: Solar activity returned to low levels. Observers logged 12 flares, all C-class flares.

• Strongest flare: A C5.2 from AR4494 peaking at 3:18 UTC on July 28.
• Lead flare producer: AR4494 topped the list with 7 flares, including the strongest of the day, the C5.2.

Sunspot regions: The Earth-facing solar disk shows 5 numbered active regions today. Among them is a newcomer just over the northeast shoulder of our sun, now officially numbered AR4498.

• AR4494 (beta): This region continued as the most active on the solar disk. It lost its delta magnetic configuration. Nevertheless, it kept producing C-class flares during the period.
• AR4493 (beta): This region kept decaying and lost its gamma configuration during the period. It now shows a simpler beta configuration. It produced no flares.
• AR4495 (beta): This region showed no significant changes. It also produced no flaring activity.
• AR4496 (beta): This region continued to decay through the period. As it did yesterday, it produced an isolated low C-class flare.
• AR4498 (beta): This region received its number during the period. It still sits too close to the northeast horizon for a complete analysis. Even so, it produced a couple of C-class flares.

Blasts from the sun? Observers spotted a coronal mass ejection (CME) during the M3.2 (moderate) flare at 15:29 UTC on July 26 from AR4494. Initial analysis shows a chunk of solar stuff heading our way, with an arrival time late on July 30. Meanwhile, the filament eruption we report above hurled a separate CME into space. Analysis of its propagation path is ongoing.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind conditions continued at low levels as the influence of a coronal hole high-speed stream waned.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field started the period at weak levels. Then it increased to moderate strength starting at 15:30 UTC. Meanwhile, the Bz component fluctuated mildly between north and south. That was insufficient to drive significant geomagnetic activity.

Earth’s magnetic field: Earth’s magnetic field stayed quiet throughout the period, with the Kp index remaining at 1–3.

What’s ahead? Sun–Earth forecast

Flare activity forecast: Forecasters expect solar activity to stay at low-to-moderate levels, with a strong chance of M-class flares through July 29. AR4494 remains the most likely source despite its ongoing decay; although its weak delta configuration is gone, it still holds enough energy for moderate eruptions. AR4495 is also worth watching as it continues to grow. X-class (strong) flares are unlikely. However, forecasters cannot entirely rule them out.

Geomagnetic activity forecast:

• July 28: Enhanced geomagnetic conditions will likely persist as CME effects continue. This should maintain active to G1 (minor) storm levels. Aurora watchers at high latitudes should stay alert, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere where winter darkness provides favorable viewing.
• July 29: Quiet to unsettled conditions should return as CME effects subside and the solar wind environment transitions back to background levels. A returning coronal hole high-speed stream may begin to influence conditions later in the day or on July 30.

Sun news July 27: Sun-stuff could reach Earth today

A blast of solar material that was launched from the sun on July 24 should give Earth a glancing blow later today. This impact could disturb our magnetic field, possibly triggering G1 (minor) or even G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storms. So aurora watchers in northern Scotland, Scandinavia and similar high-latitude locations should stay alert! Meanwhile, an M3.2 (moderate) flare from AR4494 yesterday afternoon showed signs of blasting more solar material into space. Confirmation remains pending; we’ll let you know in tomorrow’s sun update if this blast is confirmed and, if so, whether it could be on its way to Earth.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC July 26 – 11 UTC July 27)

Flare activity: Solar activity reached moderate levels. Observers logged 7 flares: 2 M-class flares and 5 C-class (common) flares.

• Strongest flare: An M3.2 from AR4494 peaking at 15:28 UTC on July 26. This event triggered an R1 (minor) radio blackout, briefly affecting high-frequency communications over the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean.
• Second M-class flare: An M1.0 from AR4494 at 2:32 UTC on July 27. It produced an R1 (minor) radio blackout over the western Pacific and East Asia.
• Lead flare producer: AR4494 topped the list. It fired 4 of the 7 flares, including both M-class events and two C-class flares.

Sunspot regions: The Earth-facing solar disk displayed at least 6 numbered active regions, with one new region numbered during the period.

• AR4494 (beta-delta): This region remained the most active on the disk. It maintained a weak delta magnetic configuration, which can produce significant flares. However, its spot area continued to decay overall. It produced both M-class flares during the period.
• AR4493 (beta-gamma): This region showed significant decay in its trailing spots as it approached the western horizon. Its magnetic complexity reduced from beta-gamma to beta. It produced several low C-class flares.
• AR4495 (beta): This region displayed decent growth during the period. It also contributed multiple low-level C-class flares. This region is one to watch for further development.
• AR4496 (beta): This region initially showed slight growth. Then it began to decay about halfway through the period. It produced isolated low C-class flaring.
• AR4497 (beta): This region received its number during the period. It stayed inactive and appears simple and stable for the time being.

Blasts from the sun? Observers detected two CMEs during the period. However, limited coronagraph imagery complicates the analysis.

• CME associated with the M3.2 flare (July 26, ~16:23 UTC): A coronal mass ejection appeared in coronagraph imagery beginning around 16:23 UTC on July 26. It originated from AR4494’s M3.2 flare. Given the near-central-disk location of the source region, an Earth-directed component seems likely. However, NOAA noted that no CME had been confirmed in coronagraph imagery as of its 00:30 UTC discussion. The UK Met Office likewise indicated analysis was still pending.
• Second CME (July 26, ~20:26 UTC): A separate CME appeared beginning around 20:26 UTC on July 26 from an unknown source region. Currently, forecasters predict no Earth impacts from this event.
• Earlier CME from July 24 (approaching Earth): NOAA and the UK Met Office both highlight a CME launched on July 24. They expect it to deliver a weak, glancing blow to Earth late on July 27. This is the primary driver for the geomagnetic activity forecast over the next 24–48 hours.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind conditions continued to ease as the influence of a coronal hole high-speed stream waned. Speeds steadily decreased to background levels over the period.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) stayed weak. Meanwhile, the Bz component fluctuated mildly between north and south. That was insufficient to drive significant geomagnetic activity.

Earth’s magnetic field: Earth’s magnetic field stayed quiet throughout the period, with the Kp index remaining at 0–2.

The sun in recent days

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Bottom line: Sun news July 28, 2026: Flares stayed low, but the sun blasted a dramatic double eruption, a filament and prominence, almost in perfect sync.

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