Sun news: Earth awaits a blob from the sun

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

Today’s top story: 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.

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Bottom line: Sun news August 30, 2026: Coronal hole wind pushed Kp to 4+, and a slow CME grazes Earth today. AR4517 is about to depart, leaving a quiet disk behind.

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