Sun

Sun news: Geomagnetic storm arrived last night

Posted by
C. Alex Young
and
Armando Caussade
and
Raúl Cortés
and
October 22, 2026
Map of the Northern Hemisphere with a green auroral oval over Alaska and Canada, part of it in daytime shading.
Sun news for October 22, 2026. This short-term aurora forecast from NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center shows the auroral oval at 14:30 UTC on October 21, as fast solar wind from a coronal hole buffeted Earth. The green ring marks where auroras were most likely, glowing over Alaska and northern Canada. Later in the day, at 23:59 UTC, conditions reached a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm. Image via NOAA.

Sun news October 22: Geomagnetic storm arrived last night

Today’s top story: It arrived after all! The G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm we’d been expecting finally occurred, a day later than forecast. It was triggered by a coronal hole’s stream of fast solar wind. First, the stream stirred an active disturbance, reaching Kp 4. Then a second surge pushed conditions past the geomagnetic storm threshold (Kp 5) at 23:59 UTC on October 21. And there could be more to come. A second coronal hole is now sending its own fast solar wind our way. It may reach us late on October 23 or early on October 24. That could disturb Earth’s magnetic field again and bring a fresh chance for auroral displays at far northerly latitudes. Did you see the auroras last night? Share your photos with us!

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC October 21 – 11 UTC October 22)

Flare activity: Solar activity stayed at low levels, with flare production much like the day before. Observers registered 11 flares this period: seven C-class (common) and four B-class (weak).

  • Strongest flare: A C3.5 from AR4560, peaking at 3:09 UTC on October 22.
  • Other notable flares: On October 21, AR4551 fired a C1.5 at 18:49 UTC. AR4557 followed with a C1.4 at 21:19 UTC. Then AR4560 added a C2.1 at 22:52 UTC.
  • Lead flare producer: AR4551 topped the list with five of the period’s 11 flares. AR4560 followed closely with four. Meanwhile, AR4557 contributed the other two.

Sunspot regions: Three numbered sunspot regions still appear on the visible disk, since no newcomers have emerged. In fact, the entire eastern hemisphere remains devoid of numbered regions.

  • AR4551 (beta-gamma magnetic configuration): This large region regained its gamma configuration on its way out. It kept blasting flares, too, becoming the lead flare producer of the period. Now it sits right at the southwest limb, ready to rotate to the far side.
  • AR4557 (beta): This region kept decaying and lost its gamma configuration. It’s approaching the west horizon.
  • AR4560 (beta-gamma): This region kept its gamma configuration and continued to grow. It also fired the strongest flare of the period, the C3.5.

Blasts from the sun? Observers spotted a coronal mass ejection (CME) at 9 UTC on October 21, near the northern coronal hole we’ve been watching. Modeling suggests part of this chunk of solar stuff may deliver a glancing blow to Earth late on October 26 or early on October 27.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind speeds peaked at moderate-high levels around 14 UTC on October 21. They then settled at moderate levels for the rest of the period. The high-speed stream should keep speeds moderate through the rest of the day.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The total interplanetary magnetic field started our observation period at moderate levels, then slowly eased to weak strength. Meanwhile, the north-south component (Bz) pointed south for most of the period. A few peaks pointed north. However, the strongest and steadiest peaks pointed south. Long southward stretches like that favor auroral displays.

Earth’s magnetic field: The geomagnetic field ranged from quiet to minor storm levels, with the Kp index at 2 to 5. A G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm struck as conditions reached the Kp 5 threshold at 23:59 UTC on October 21. At the time of this report, the Kp index has dropped to level 3.

What’s ahead? Sun–Earth forecast

Flare activity forecast: Forecasters expect low solar activity, with a chance for isolated M-class flares. The chance for M-class flares slipped to 20% today, down from 25% yesterday. Meanwhile, the small 5% chance of X-class (strong) flares remains. As AR4551 rotates off the disk, the growing magnetically complex sunspot region AR4560 becomes the main driver, with help from AR4557.

Geomagnetic activity forecast:

  • October 22: After the G1 (minor) storm, unsettled to active conditions (Kp 3-4) should continue as the coronal hole’s fast wind lingers through the day. Auroras will likely retreat to the highest latitudes.
  • October 23: Anticipate a return to mostly quiet conditions as the fast wind’s effects wane.
  • October 24: Active conditions should return as fast solar wind arrives from the second coronal hole.
Coronagraph view with the sun hidden behind a dark disk, as blue-white streamers of solar material stream outward.
Sun news for October 22, 2026. This view from the CCOR-1 coronagraph aboard GOES-19, taken at 11:30 UTC on October 21, captures the solar wind and coronal streamers flowing outward. It came just a couple of hours after a coronal mass ejection (CME) erupted near the northern coronal hole at about 9 UTC. Modeling suggests part of that CME may deliver a glancing blow to Earth late on October 26 or early on October 27. CCOR-1 blocks the sun’s bright face to reveal the faint outer corona. Image via NOAA.
Blue coronagraph animation with the sun hidden behind a dark disk, as solar material erupts and Mercury drifts into view.
Sun news for October 22, 2026. This animation from the SOHO LASCO C3 coronagraph runs from October 20 into October 21. It captures the moment a coronal mass ejection (CME) erupted near the sun’s northern coronal hole, at about 9 UTC on October 21. Modeling suggests part of it may deliver a glancing blow to Earth late on October 26 or early on October 27. And watch for a special guest: the planet Mercury makes a majestic entrance into the field of view, shining as a bright dot among the background stars. The coronagraph blocks the sun’s bright face with an occulting disk, revealing the faint outer corona. Image via NASA/ESA SOHO.
The sun in visible light, a yellow disk with a few small dark sunspots, each labeled with its active region number.
Sun news October 22, 2026. Here’s today’s sun – with the most active regions labeled – as of 5 UTC this morning, as seen by the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). 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?

Sun news October 21:Fast wind arrives, and more to come

The anticipated stream of fast solar wind from a coronal hole reached Earth today. However, it didn’t trigger the expected G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm. Instead, the wind only triggered active disturbance (Kp 4) in our magnetic field. But there’s another chance ahead. A second coronal hole now is now sitting near the center of the solar disk, facing Earth. Its fast solar wind may start reaching us in the coming days. That could disturb Earth’s magnetic field again and bring a fresh chance for auroral displays.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC October 20 – 11 UTC October 21)

Flare activity: Solar activity stayed at low levels, but flare production dropped. Observers registered only 11 flares this period, compared to 22 yesterday. C-class output fell too, with just two C-class (common) flares and nine B-class (weak).

  • Strongest flare: A C2.8 from AR4557, peaking at 13:56 UTC on October 20.
  • Other notable flare: A C1.4 from AR4551, peaking at 18:36 UTC on October 20.
  • Lead flare producer: AR4557 produced eight of the period’s 11 flares, including the strongest. Meanwhile, AR4551 contributed the other three.

Sunspot regions: Currently, only three numbered sunspot regions populate the visible disk. Notably, the eastern hemisphere has run out of numbered regions entirely.

  • AR4551 (beta magnetic configuration): This large region is about to rotate to the far side, sitting right on the sun’s southwest shoulder. At that angle, its exact configuration is hard to determine. For now, it’s departing as a beta region with six sunspots, amid jets and prominences.
  • AR4557 (beta-gamma): This region underwent minor decay and lost its delta. Even so, it still holds a beta-gamma configuration across 20 spots. And it took over as the period’s flare leader once again, firing eight flares, including the strongest, a C2.8.
  • AR4560 (beta-gamma): This region kept growing, increasing in extent and developing additional sunspots. It now counts 21 spots, the most on the disk, and has gained a beta-gamma configuration. That makes it one to watch.

Blasts from the sun? Analysts identified several coronal mass ejections (CMEs) launched toward the north and northeast during this period. Initial analysis suggests none of these chunks of solar stuff are Earth-bound.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind speeds increased to moderate levels during this period. The arrival of a new high-speed stream drove the jump.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The total interplanetary magnetic field (Bt) stayed calm early in the period. Then, at around 12 UTC on October 20, it rose to moderate strength and held there through the time of this report. Meanwhile, the north-south component (Bz) pointed south for most of the period. Long, steady southward stretches like that favor auroral displays.

Earth’s magnetic field: The geomagnetic field ranged from quiet to active levels, with the Kp index at 2 to 4. Conditions reached the Kp 4 threshold at 4:29 UTC on October 21. At the time of this report, the Kp index sits at level 2.

The sun glowing gold in extreme ultraviolet light, with a dark coronal hole near the center of the disk.
Sun news for October 21, 2026. A coronal hole is now facing Earth directly. A coronal hole is a region in the sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona, where the magnetic field opens out into space and lets fast solar wind escape. Fast solar wind streaming from this central coronal hole might start reaching Earth in the coming days, bringing a fresh chance for auroras. Image via NOAA.
The sun's southwest edge glowing orange-red, with jets and prominences rising from a departing active region.
Sun news for October 21, 2026. Active region AR4551 makes its exit over the sun’s southwest edge, departing amid jets and prominences. This large region fired an M1.4 and an M1.7 flare as it crossed the Earth-facing disk, and it reached a beta-gamma-delta magnetic configuration at its peak. Now the sun’s rotation is carrying it to the far side. Image via NOAA.

Sun news October 20: Fast solar wind approaching Earth

A stream of fast solar wind from a coronal hole — a cooler, less-dense region in the sun’s atmosphere — is expected to reach Earth today. When it does, forecasters expect it to trigger G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm conditions. So aurora-watchers at high latitudes, keep an eye on the sky tonight!

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC October 19 – 11 UTC October 20)

Flare activity: Solar activity returned to low levels. Observers recorded 22 flares in all: 12 C-class (common) and 10 B-class (weak).

  • Strongest flare: A C3.5 from AR4557, peaking at 2:45 UTC on October 20.
  • Other notable flares: AR4557 fired most of the period’s flares, with AR4551 and AR4560 adding a handful more.
  • Lead flare producer: AR4557 produced 17 of the period’s 22 flares, including the strongest. Meanwhile, AR4551 contributed 3 flares, and AR4560 added 2.

Sunspot regions: Currently, only three numbered sunspot regions populate the visible disk.

  • AR4551 (beta-gamma): This large, magnetically complex region started showing signs of decay. Now getting closer to the solar southwest.
  • AR4557 (beta): This region lost its delta configuration, but it took over as the period’s flare leader. It fired 17 flares, including the strongest, a C3.5. Its evolving magnetic structure keeps it well worth watching.
  • AR4560 (beta): This newcomer emerged on the northeast portion of the disk and kept developing. It produced 2 flares. For now, it remains small and magnetically simple.

Blasts from the sun? Analysts identified no Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) during this period. They also confirmed that the CME from yesterday’s M1.7 (moderate) flare is not heading our way.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind speeds eased toward normal levels as a previous coronal hole’s influence waned. However, that should change soon, as a new high-speed stream is due to arrive today.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The total interplanetary magnetic field (Bt) stayed mostly calm, briefly reaching moderate levels earlier in the period. Meanwhile, the north-south component (Bz) varied but favored a northward orientation, with brief southward dips.

Earth’s magnetic field: The geomagnetic field stayed at very quiet levels, with the Kp index ranging from 0 to 1. Aurora stayed confined to the highest latitudes. At the time of this report the Kp index sits at level 1.

The sun glowing gold in extreme ultraviolet light, with a small dark coronal hole near center and a long one at lower right.
Sun news for October 20, 2026. The arrows point to 2 coronal holes. The large one, now in the southwest quadrant, has rotated out of its geoeffective — Earth-facing — position. Even so, the fast solar wind it sent our way is arriving now, and it could bring G1 (minor) storms and auroras today. Meanwhile, a second, smaller coronal hole in the northeast is moving into a geoeffective position, so more fast wind may follow in the coming days. Image via NOAA.

Sun news October 19: M flare erupts as solar wind heads to Earth

A coronal hole — an area of lower density in the sun’s atmosphere — is currently crossing the center of the solar disk. The high-speed solar wind streaming out of it should reach Earth tomorrow. When it arrives, forecasters expect G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm conditions and possible auroras at high latitudes. So what does that mean for skywatchers? If you live in the far north or south, keep an eye out for auroras late on October 19 or on October 20. Those in Northern Scotland and southern New Zealand could catch a glimpse. Meanwhile, AR4551 fired off an M1.7 (moderate) flare near the end of our reporting window, peaking at 9:03 UTC this morning. The blast caused an R1 (minor) radio blackout. This large, magnetically complex sunspot region has dominated flare production for days. And according to forecasters, it still has more to give. Stay tuned!

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC October 18 – 11 UTC October 19)

Flare activity: Solar activity reached moderate levels. Observers recorded 8 flares in all: 1 M-class, 5 C-class (common) and 2 B-class (weak).

  • Strongest flare: An M1.7 from AR4551, peaking at 09:03 UTC on October 19. It produced an R1 (minor) radio blackout over southern Africa.
  • Other notable flares: A C2.1 from AR4551 peaked at 19:17 UTC on October 18. Meanwhile, newly numbered AR4559 fired two C-class flares, including a C2.0 at 07:18 UTC on October 19.
  • Lead flare producer: AR4551 produced 5 of the 8 flares, including the only M-class event. AR4559 contributed 2 C-class flares, and AR4557 added 1 B-class flare.

Sunspot regions: Four numbered sunspot regions populated the visible disk, including two newcomers: AR4559 and AR4560.

  • AR4551 (beta-gamma): This large, magnetically complex region remains one of the biggest on the disk. Its strong, persistent, leader spot keeps it productive. In fact, it produced the bulk of the period’s flares, including the M1.7. Forecasters still consider it a potent source of more moderate flares.
  • AR4557 (beta-delta): This region shrank slightly. However, it developed a weak delta configuration. It produced one B-class flare during the period. Despite some decay, its evolving magnetic structure keeps it worth watching.
  • AR4560 (beta): This newcomer emerged on the northeast portion of the disk and kept developing. For now, it remains small and magnetically simple.
  • AR4559 (beta): This newly numbered region emerged just south of AR4551. Despite being small and simple, this region surprised observers with two C-class flares.

Blasts from the sun? Analysts identified no Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) during this period.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind speeds were slightly elevated as a previous coronal hole’s influence waned. By the end, conditions trended toward normal levels.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The total interplanetary magnetic field (Bt) stayed mostly calm. Earlier in the period, it briefly reached moderate levels. Meanwhile, the north-south component (Bz) varied but favored a northward orientation, with brief southward dips.

Earth’s magnetic field: The geomagnetic field stayed quiet to unsettled, with the Kp index ranging from 1 to 3. Conditions reached no storm thresholds. As a result, aurora stayed confined to the highest latitudes.

Close-up of the sun in blue and purple ultraviolet light, showing a long dark coronal hole and a bright flare nearby.
Sun news for October 19, 2026. This video highlights today’s 2 top stories. It opens on the long, dark coronal hole stretching across the sun’s western hemisphere. Its high-speed stream of solar wind should reach Earth around October 20, possibly bringing G1 (minor) storms and auroras. Then the action shifts to AR4551, which fired an M1.7 (moderate) flare that peaked at 09:03 UTC this morning and caused an R1 (minor) radio blackout. Image via NASA/ SDO.

The sun in recent days

The sun in visible light, a yellow disk with a few small dark sunspots, each labeled with its active region number.
Sun news October 21, 2026. Here’s today’s sun – with the most active regions labeled – as of 4 UTC this morning, as seen by the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). Image via NASA SDO.
The sun in visible light, a yellow disk with a few small dark sunspots, each labeled with its active region number.
Sun news October 20, 2026. Here’s today’s sun – with the most active regions labeled – as of 6 UTC this morning, as seen by the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). Image via NASA SDO.
The sun in visible light, a yellow disk with a few small dark sunspots, each labeled with its active region number.
Sun news October 19, 2026. Here’s today’s sun – with the most active regions labeled – as of 5 UTC this morning, as seen by the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). Image via NASA SDO.

Earlier sun images

The sun in visible light, a yellow disk with a few small dark sunspots, each labeled with its active region number.
Sun news October 18, 2026. Here’s today’s sun – with the most active regions labeled – as of 4 UTC this morning, as seen by the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). Image via NASA SDO.
The sun in visible light, a yellow disk with a few small dark sunspots, each labeled with its active region number.
Sun news October 17, 2026. Here’s today’s sun – with the most active regions labeled – as of 5 UTC this morning, as seen by the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). Image via NASA SDO.

Sun images from our community

The sun, seen as a large white sphere with small dark spots.
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Patricio León in Santiago, Chile, captured this filtered image on October 21, 2026. Patricio wrote: “Another lucky break in the clouds. AR4551 has just gone over the western limb. Two sunspots remaining with no structural or magnetic complexity.” Thank you, Patricio!

The sun, seen as four spheres in different bright colors.
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Mario Rana in Hampton, Virginia, captured these filtered images on October 21, 2026. Mario wrote: “The sun in hydrogen-alpha, hydrogen-epsilon, helium D3 and calcium-H.” Thank you, Mario!

The sun, seen as two spheres, one yellow and one gray.
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Mario Rana in Hampton, Virginia, captured these filtered images on October 20, 2026. Mario wrote: “The sun in hydrogen-alpha and helium D3.” Thank you, Mario!

 

The sun, seen as a green sectional sphere with dark spots, each labeled.
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Victor Rogus in Sedona, Arizona, captured this filtered image on October 20, 2026. Victor wrote: “Through rather cloudy skies, this morning we see three numbered sunspot groups on the solar disk. And that sunspot AR4551 has a ‘beta-gamma’ magnetic field that harbors energy for M-class solar flares.” Thank you, Victor!

We sometimes feature sun images obtained using hydrogen-alpha filters. Read why.

Bottom line: Sun news October 22, 2026: The G1 storm arrived a day late! Did you catch the auroras? A second coronal hole’s fast wind is due October 24.

Submit your photos here.

View community photos here

Posted 
October 22, 2026
 in 
Sun

C. Alex Young

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About the Author:
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 Caussade

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About the Author:
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

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About the Author:
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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