Sun news for May 11, 2026. This video from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) shows the M5.8 (moderate) flare from AR4436 at 13:19 UTC on May 10. This eruption launched a fast coronal mass ejection (CME) that may deliver a glancing blow to Earth around May 13. Video via NASA/ SDO.
Sun news May 11: M5 flare erupts, sun-stuff may glance Earth
Today’s top story: The sun just fired its strongest flare in days! The M5.8 (moderate) flare erupted from sunspot region AR4436 in the northeast around 13 UTC yesterday. The blast sent a fast chunk of sun-stuff – a coronal mass ejection (CME) – racing into space. Scientists have detected a fast, powerful pressure wave racing ahead of this CME. The bulk of the ejecta is heading away from Earth, but our planet could receive a glancing blow early on May 13. If so, this could trigger G1 (minor) auroras. Stay tuned, aurora hunters!
Past 24 hours of sun news
(11 UTC May 10 – 11 UTC May 11)
Flare activity
Over the past day, solar activity reached high levels. In total, the sun fired 10 flares: 1 M-class, 8 C-class (common) and 1 B-class (weak).
Strongest flare: M5.8 from AR4436, peaking at 13:19 UTC on May 10. It triggered an R2 (moderate) radio blackout, disrupting high frequency communications across eastern Africa.
Lead flare producer: AR4432 generated the vast majority of the remaining activity. It fired 8 C-class flares and 1 B-class event.
Sunspot regions
The Earth-facing solar disk showed 5 numbered active regions.
Blasts from the sun?
A significant partial halo CME accompanied the M5.8 flare from AR4436. It first appeared at 13:48 UTC on May 10, erupting off the east limb in the SOHO spacecraft’s LASCO C2 imagery. The bulk of the ejecta was aimed well east of Earth. However, initial WSA-ENLIL modeling points to a possible glancing blow arriving at Earth early UTC on May 13. If the Earth-directed component is confirmed, Kp could reach 5, indicating G1 (minor) storm potential. However, significant uncertainty remains. The CME may deliver only a weak disturbance or miss entirely.
Past 24 hours in space weather
Solar wind
Solar wind conditions reflected the waning influence of a positive-polarity coronal hole high-speed stream. Speeds declined from slightly elevated to normal by its end. The total interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) stayed weak.
Bz and magnetic coupling
The Bz component remained near neutral and variable. The slight swings from north to south were too weak to drive any significant geomagnetic response. Consequently, Earth’s magnetic shield stayed firmly closed.
Earth’s magnetic field
Over the past day, Earth’s magnetic field stayed quiet (Kp 0–2). No geomagnetic storm conditions occurred. The weak and variable IMF kept conditions calm throughout. No sustained southward Bz developed.
What’s ahead? Sun–Earth forecast
Flare activity forecast
Forecasters expect low activity to continue over the next three days. A 45% chance exists for M-class flares, primarily from AR4432 and AR4436. A slight chance (5%) for an isolated X-class (strong) event also remains.
Geomagnetic activity forecast
May 11 (Monday): Expect quiet-to-unsettled conditions (Kp 0–3). Isolated unsettled intervals are possible from weak coronal hole influences. No significant aurora enhancement expected beyond the usual auroral zone: Alaska, northern Canada, Iceland and northern Scandinavia.
May 12 (Tuesday): Expect mostly quiet conditions (Kp 0–2) as background solar wind prevails. However, a mild high-speed stream from a mid-latitude coronal hole may arrive late in the day. That could introduce unsettled-to-active conditions toward day’s end.
May 13 (Wednesday): The most interesting day ahead. A potential glancing blow from the May 10 CME could arrive early UTC. It may combine with coronal hole effects. A chance of G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm intervals (Kp 5) exists. If storm conditions develop, auroras could reach Seattle, Minneapolis, Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands. Quiet-to-unsettled conditions are more likely if the CME component is weaker than modeled.
May 14 (Thursday): A new coronal hole fast wind stream may begin arriving later in the day. A slight chance of G1 (minor) storm intervals exists as solar wind speeds ramp up again.
Sun news for May 11, 2026. This video from the LASCO C2 coronagraph aboard the SOHO spacecraft captures the coronal mass ejection (CME) launched by the M5.8 flare from AR4436 on May 10. Video via ESA/ NASA/ SOHO.This image shows sun activity – with the most active regions labeled – as of 7 UTC on May 12, 2026. Original image, without labels, via NASA SDO. Courtesy of NASA/SDO and the AIA, EVE, and HMI science teams, with labeling by EarthSky. Armando Caussade posted today’s sun. Why are east and west on the sun reversed?
The sun in recent days
This image shows sun activity – with the most active regions labeled – as of 2 UTC on May 11, 2026. Image via NASA/ SDO.This image shows sun activity – with the most active regions labeled – as of 5 UTC on May 10, 2026. Image via NASA/ SDO.This image shows sun activity – with the most active regions labeled – as of 5 UTC on May 9, 2026. Image via NASA/ SDO.
Sun images from our community
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Patricio León in Santiago, Chile, captured this filtered image on May 11, 2026. Patricio wrote: “Both main sunspots of the solar face AR4432 and AR4436 have developed gamma-delta configurations so any of them could emit strong M-class flares like that yesterday, but until now activity remains in basal B-class. The pair of big cores of AR4432 can very well complete the backside rotation and reappear at the eastern limb in about two weeks.” Thank you, Patricio!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Victor Rogus in Sedona, Arizona, captured this filtered image on May 11, 2026. Thank you, Victor!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Anthony Faulkner in Tucson, Arizona, captured this filtered image on May 10, 2026. Anthony wrote: “Our sun in broadband white light. Sunspot AR4431 is leading off the western edge, with much larger AR4432 following in second place. Sunspots AR4433 and AR4435 can be seen near center, while active sunspot AR4436 is popping out from the eastern limb. North is at top.” Thank you, Anthony!
Sun images from our community
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Mario Rana in Hampton, Virginia, captured these filtered images on May 10, 2026. Mario wrote: “The sun in hydrogen-alpha, helium D3, sodium D2, and calcium-H.” Thank you, Mario!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Jim Militello in Tucson, Arizona, captured this filtered image on May 10, 2026. Jim wrote: “Hydrogen-alpha image of the sun with active regions, prominences and filaments.” Thank you, Jim!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | David Hawkes in South Yorkshire, United Kingdom, captured this filtered image on May 10, 2026. David wrote: “Glorious sunny day today with some cumulus clouds, perfect conditions. Active regions 4432 and 4431 are close to the exit on the western solar horizon with a couple more regions plus AR4436 rising in the east.” Thank you, David!
We sometimes feature sun images obtained using hydrogen-alpha filters. Read why.
Bottom line: Sun news for May 11, 2026: An M5.8 (moderate) flare erupts from AR4436! A fast coronal mass ejection (CME) may glance Earth on May 13. A G1 (minor) storm and auroras are possible midweek. Stay alert!
C. Alex Young is a solar astrophysicist studying the Sun and space weather. Alex is passionate about sharing science with diverse audiences. This led him to start The Sun Today with his designer wife, Linda. First through Facebook and Twitter then adding an extensive website thesuntoday.org, the two work together to engage the public about the Sun and its role in our solar system. Alex led national engagement efforts for the 2017 total solar eclipse. He is the Associate Director for Science in the Heliophysics Science Division at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.
Armando is known primarily as an astronomy educator, after 30+ years of extensive public outreach and 10 years teaching in colleges. As one of only a handful of science communicators in Puerto Rico during Comet Halley's last visit, he assumed a pioneering role starting in 1985 when science was just beginning to enter the collective mindset. Over the years, his work as a teacher, speaker and writer, inspired people to pursue interests in science and brought enduring change to Puerto Rican culture. After being accepted into the 2014–2015 Antarctic season of PolarTREC, Armando was assigned to the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, where in 2015 he successfully conducted 10 days of work at the IceCube Neutrino Observatory. His affiliations include Ana G. Méndez University, Cupey campus (2014 to 2021), the University of Puerto Rico, Aguadilla campus (2015 to 2017), NASA JPL's Solar System Ambassadors (2004 to 2006), and NASA Space Grant (2017 to 2019) where he served as an affiliate representative.
Raúl Cortés studied engineering at the Autonomous University of Nuevo León in Monterrey, Mexico, obtained a scholarship to continue his studies in Japan and after returning to Monterrey he got credits on MBA from the Graduate School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Faculty. He became a teacher at the University UANL teaching Math and Physics and dedicated the rest of his professional career to serve in engineering areas for USA, Japan and Germany based corporations. His passion for the skies go back to when he was a child, always intrigued about the stars and constellations and reading and researching about the matter. From 2010 on, he dedicated his attention to photographing the stars, constellations, the moon and the sun. Raúl's work on his photography has been published and posted on the ESC as well as in other platforms and has gained attention to be published by local Monterrey newspapers.
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