Sun news July 1: X flare! Sun-stuff speeding to Earth?
Today’s top story: BAM! At 20:50 UTC last night, sunspot region AR4479 unleashed an X flare, the most powerful class of solar flare. A dimming in the extreme ultraviolet wavelength confirmed to experts that this X1.1 flare released solar material into space. And radio wave data revealed that this sun-stuff left our star at a staggering 1,500 kilometers per second, or over 3.3 million miles per hour! It was then the turn of the SOHO spacecraft, which recorded a halo coronal mass ejection (CME), meaning the eruption expanded in all directions around the sun as seen from Earth. That’s a strong sign that solar material from this blast might reach our planet’s magnetic field. If so, it could potentially trigger geomagnetic storms and auroras in the coming days. Confirmation to come. Stay tuned!
Past 24 hours of sun news
(11 UTC June 30 – 11 UTC July 1)
Flare activity
Over the past day, solar activity jumped to high. In total, the sun fired 16 flares: 1 X-class, 6 M-class, and 9 C-class events.
- Strongest flare: X1.1 from AR4479, peaking at 20:50 UTC on June 30. It triggered an R3 (strong) radio blackout over the Pacific Ocean northeast of Hawaii.
- M-class flares: M5.9 from AR4475 at 12:57 UTC on June 30, triggering an R2 (moderate) radio blackout over the Atlantic Ocean west of Africa. Then AR4479 fired four consecutive M-class flares on July 1: M1.2 at 6:27 UTC (R1 over Bangladesh); M1.0 at 6:43 UTC (R1 over northeast India); M1.6 at 7:35 UTC (R1 over the south coast of Pakistan); and M2.6 at 8:17 UTC (R1 over the Gulf of Oman). AR4480 sparked the sixth M flare of the period, an M1.4 at 10:08 UTC on July 1 (R1 over Egypt).
- Lead flare producer: AR4479 dominated the period with 6 of the 14 flares. These included the X1.1, four M-class events, and a C-class flare. Meanwhile, AR4475 contributed 4 C-class flares, including the M5.9.
Sunspot regions
Currently, the Earth-facing solar disk shows 5 numbered active regions. Two carry notable magnetic complexity.
AR4479 (beta-gamma-delta) retains its maximum-complexity magnetic configuration. It was the undisputed lead flare producer of the period. And it still carries real potential for further significant eruptions.
AR4478 (beta-gamma-delta) remains the largest region on the disk. It showed slight growth in its intermediate area. And as it moves toward the disk center, its potential for Earth-affecting blasts grows.
AR4475 (beta) lost its gamma-delta component and now carries a simpler beta configuration. It is approaching the southwest horizon and should soon depart for the far side.
Blasts from the sun?
The X1.1 flare is being modeled and analyzed to determine whether any of the sun-stuff it released is heading our way to Earth. The shock speed, estimated at roughly 1,500 km/s, tells us this was a fast, powerful eruption. And the halo coronal mass ejection, picked up by the SOHO spacecraft’s LASCO C2 and LASCO C3 instruments, is a classic signature of an Earth-directed event. However, we’re waiting for the results of a full analysis.
Past 24 hours in space weather
Solar wind
Solar wind speeds held at moderate levels throughout the period. Meanwhile, the total interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) climbed to strong levels for most of the period. That reflected the arrival of a CME from June 26.
Bz and magnetic coupling
The Bz component initially pointed southward. Then it shifted northward, starting at 18 UTC on June 30, and maintained that orientation for the rest of the period. At the time of this writing, the Bz remains northward. As always, a sustained southward Bz is what opens the door for the strongest auroral displays.
Earth’s magnetic field
Over the past day, Earth’s magnetic field reached G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm levels (Kp 5), driven by the arrival of the June 26 CME. At the time of this writing, the Kp index sits slightly below level 2.
What’s ahead? Sun–Earth forecast
Flare activity forecast
Forecasters raised their outlook to high activity, given the X1.1 eruption and the persisting beta-gamma-delta configurations on AR4479 and AR4478. The chance for M-class flares holds at 60% today. And the chance for another X-class (strong) event holds at 10%.
Geomagnetic activity forecast
- July 1: Unsettled-to-active conditions continue as the June 26 CME influence lingers. And a second CME from June 27 may also arrive. But expectations stay modest given that CME’s low speed. Aurora watchers at high latitudes should remain alert, especially in the Southern Hemisphere where winter nights offer better darkness.
- July 2: Expect waning unsettled-to-active conditions as lingering CME effects fade. Geomagnetic conditions should gradually return to quiet levels. But the X1.1 CME analysis could change this picture entirely if modeling confirms a significant Earth-directed component.
Sun news June 30 : Two M flares, three potent sunspot regions!
Over the past day, the sun blasted out 2 M (moderate) flares: an M1.4 at 21:40 UTC last night from sunspot region AR4479, and an M1.3 at 1:16 UTC this morning from AR4475. Excitingly, both of these regions – along with AR4478 – have the highest possible level of magnetic complexity, beta-gamma-delta. That means they have a strong potential to fire more M flares and even X (strong) flares! Meanwhile at Earth, we are awaiting the arrival of a coronal mass ejection (CME) fired late on Friday, June 26, which could trigger a G1–G2 (minor to moderate) geomagnetic storm. Stay tuned!
Past 24 hours of sun news
(11 UTC June 29 – 11 UTC June 30)
Flare activity
Over the past day, solar activity continued at moderate levels. In total, the sun fired 17 flares: 2 M-class and 15 C-class (common) events.
- Strongest flare: M1.4 from AR4479, peaking at 21:40 UTC on June 29. It triggered an R1 (minor) radio blackout over the Pacific Ocean northeast of Hawaii.
- Second M flare: M1.3 from AR4475 at 1:16 UTC on June 30. It also triggered an R1 (minor) radio blackout over the Pacific Ocean.
- Lead flare producer: AR4475 topped the list with 10 of the 17 flares, including one of the M-class events. Meanwhile, AR4479 contributed 5 flares, including the period’s strongest.
Sunspot regions
Currently, the Earth-facing solar disk shows 5 numbered active regions. Three carry notable magnetic complexity.
AR4478 (beta-gamma-delta) remains the largest region on the disk. It showed slight growth in its intermediate area. And it remains capable of producing significant flares as it moves toward the center of the solar disk.
AR4479 (beta-gamma-delta) continued to evolve, acquiring additional magnetic complexity over the past day and reaching the strongest possible classification: beta-gamma-delta.
AR4475 (beta-gamma-delta) developed a delta component and joins the new triumvirate of beta-gamma-delta active regions. This region was the leading flare producer of the period.
Blasts from the sun?
The two M-class flares produced during this period are under modeling and analysis to determine if a component is heading our way at Earth. No newer coronal mass ejections (CMEs) appeared in available coronagraph imagery.
Past 24 hours in space weather
Solar wind
Solar wind conditions reflected the continued weakening of a coronal hole high-speed stream. Speeds decreased from moderate to moderate-low levels by the end of the period. Meanwhile, the total interplanetary magnetic field continued at weak levels.
Bz and magnetic coupling
The Bz component pointed northward late on June 29. Then it shifted southward around 18 UTC on June 29 and held that orientation through the rest of the period. At the time of this writing, the Bz remains southward oriented. But the arriving CME later today could change that picture dramatically.
Earth’s magnetic field
Over the past day, Earth’s magnetic field stayed very quiet (Kp 0–1). No geomagnetic storm conditions occurred. But that quiet is about to end. The June 26 CME is on its way. At the time of this writing, Earth’s magnetic field remains quiet at just above Kp 0.
Sun news June 29: A near M-flare while waiting for CME
The sun maintained a steady drumbeat of moderate activity over the past 24 hours. We saw 16 C flares, including one that was nearly an M (moderate) flare: a C9.5 (common) from sunspot region AR4475, fired at 21:17 UTC last night. Meanwhile at Earth, we’re awaiting the arrival of a coronal mass ejection (CME) that was fired late on Friday. This burst of sun-stuff is expected to reach us tomorrow, bringing the potential for G1–G2 (minor to moderate) geomagnetic storms. Plus, a second slower CME from June 27 may follow late on July 1 or into July 2, potentially extending unsettled conditions and keeping aurora watchers on alert.
Past 24 hours of sun news
(11 UTC June 28 – 11 UTC June 29)
Flare activity
Over the past day, solar activity held at low to moderate levels. In total, the sun fired 16 C-class flares.
- Strongest flare: C9.5 from AR4475, peaking at 21:17 UTC on June 28.
- Other notable flares: A C8.7 from AR4479 at 21:55 UTC on June 28, a C8.1 from AR4479 at 8:06 UTC on June 29 and a C6.6 from AR4479 at 7:40 UTC on June 29.
- Lead flare producer: AR4479 topped the list with 9 of the 16 flares, including three above C5.0. Meanwhile, AR4478 contributed 3 flares, AR4477 added 2 low-level events and AR4475 contributed 2 flares including the period’s strongest.
Sunspot regions
The Earth-facing solar disk shows at least 6 numbered active regions. Three carry notable magnetic complexity.
AR4478 (beta-gamma-delta) remains the most magnetically complex region on the disk. It showed slight growth in its intermediate area. And it remains capable of producing significant flares as it moves toward the center of the solar disk.
AR4479 (beta) was the most active flare producer by far, generating 9 C-class flares. And it continues to develop, acquiring additional magnetic complexity over the past day.
AR4475 (beta-gamma) continues to decline slowly, but it still produced the period’s strongest flare.
AR4477 contributed 2 low-level C-class flares. The remaining regions on the disk were mostly unchanged, showing simple magnetic configurations and remaining inactive or in gradual decline.
Blasts from the sun?
Several CMEs were observed during the period, but none of the newly detected events carry a significant Earth-directed component. The focus remains on two earlier CMEs now en route to Earth.
June 26 CME: the main event. This eruption, directed mainly southward but with an Earth-directed component, is expected to arrive tomorrow morning and trigger a G1 (minor) or G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm.
June 27 CME: This faint, slow CME from the area around AR4475 is harder to model. A very low-confidence estimated arrival sits around 8:00 UTC on July 1. Kp estimates range from 2 to 4, suggesting quiet-to-unsettled conditions if it arrives.
Past 24 hours in space weather
Solar wind
Solar wind conditions reflected the continued weakening of a coronal hole’s high-speed stream. Speeds decreased to normal levels by the end of the period. Meanwhile, the total interplanetary magnetic field stayed weak.
Bz and magnetic coupling
The Bz component showed no sustained southward excursions. As a result, Earth’s magnetic shield stayed firmly closed and aurora potential remained limited. But the arriving CME on June 30 could change that picture dramatically.
Earth’s magnetic field
Over the past day, Earth’s magnetic field stayed quiet (Kp 1–2). No geomagnetic storm conditions occurred. But that quiet is about to end. The June 26 CME is on its way.
The sun in recent days
Earlier sun images
Sun images from our community
More sun images from our community
We sometimes feature sun images obtained using hydrogen-alpha filters. Read why.
Bottom line: Sun news for July 1, 2026: X1.1 flare erupts from AR4479! This huge flare seems to have sent a blast of sun-stuff toward Earth.
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C. Alex Young
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