Sun news: Auroras to pair with the eclipse tonight?

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

Today’s top story: 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.

What’s ahead? Sun–Earth forecast

Flare activity forecast: Forecasters keep their expectations at moderate levels through August 27 and 28. Today, the chance for M-class flares holds at 55%. Meanwhile, the chance for an X-class flare event increased to 15%, up from 10% yesterday. AR4513 remains the main player with its beta-gamma complexity. AR4517 contributes with its own beta-gamma configuration, while AR4516 departs to the far side of our sun.

Geomagnetic activity forecast:

• August 27: Anticipate mostly quiet conditions (Kp 0-2) early in the day, as background solar wind prevails with no significant drivers. But late in the day, fast solar wind from a coronal hole might lift activity to unsettled-to-active levels (Kp 3-4). G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm intervals (Kp 5) are possible. Those chances increase further should the coronal mass ejection (CME) arrive early. If the stream arrives on schedule, auroras may appear over Seattle, Minneapolis, Edinburgh, and the Scottish Highlands.
• August 28: G2 (moderate) storms are possible. The impact from the M7 flare should arrive during the day, combining with the coronal hole stream that peaks the same day. Forecasters expect active to storm conditions (Kp 5-6). Aurora watchers across northern Europe, northern Canada, and the northern tier of the United States should stay alert for possible displays.
• August 29: G1 (minor) and G2 (moderate) storm conditions may continue through the day. Clear skies to you, aurora watchers!

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.

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Bottom line: Sun news August 27, 2026: The M7 flare’s sun-stuff arrives tomorrow. G2 storms are possible, and coronal hole solar wind could spark auroras as early as tonight!

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