Sun

Sun news: Waiting on the solar wind

Posted by
C. Alex Young
and
Armando Caussade
and
Raúl Cortés
and
May 15, 2026
Long, moving streaks of light with a small planet in the middle and a bright star to the right.
Sun news for March 15, 2026. Waiting on the solar wind … Images via NASA/SVS.

Sun news May 15: Waiting on the solar wind

Today’s top story: We’re waiting for Earth’s reaction to the solar wind. Will it bring us a geomagnetic storm and auroras? Solar wind speeds climbed to moderate-high levels over the past day. The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) also strengthened to strong levels. Forecasters expect G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm conditions later today. And G1 (minor) storming might continue through Saturday and Sunday as lingering effects of the high-speed solar wind persist. Aurora watchers, this is your weekend! Displays are possible (likely?) at high latitudes. Get your cameras ready! And please share your aurora photos with EarthSky.

Past 24 hours of sun news

(11 UTC May 14 – 11 UTC May 15)

Flare activity

Over the past day, solar activity continued at low levels. But flare production increased notably. In total, the sun fired 18 flares: 14 C-class (common) and 4 B-class (weak). That’s up from 13 flares during the previous day.

  • Strongest flare: C5.1 from AR4436 in the sun’s northeast, peaking at 18:40 UTC on May 14.
  • Lead flare producer: There was a tie at the top again today. AR4438 and AR4435 produced six flares each. In addition, AR4432 contributed three flares from behind the solar horizon. It was still firing even after rotating out of view.

Sunspot regions

Currently, the Earth-facing side of our sun shows just three numbered active regions. All three sunspot regions carry beta magnetic configurations. So the risk of strong flares remains low.

Blasts from the sun?

Available coronagraph imagery showed no significant Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) over the past 24 hours. We did see two filament eruptions, throwing billions of tons of sun-stuff into space. See the images below. This sun-stuff isn’t headed our way.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind

Solar wind speeds initially decreased to moderate-low levels, early in the past day. But, starting around 20 UTC on May 14, they started climbing and climbed to moderate-high levels. That increase signals the approaching coronal hole high-speed stream. Meanwhile, the total interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) started weakly. Then, around 22 UTC on May 14, it jumped to strong levels.

Bz and magnetic coupling

The Bz component pointed mostly northward through the period. Only a couple of weak southward peaks occurred. At the time of this writing, it shows a strong northward orientation. As always, a northward Bz keeps Earth’s magnetic shield closed and limits auroral activity. However, that could change quickly as the coronal hole stream fully arrives.

Earth’s magnetic field

Over the past day, Earth’s magnetic field held at very quiet to unsettled levels (Kp 0–3). Currently, the Kp index sits just below level 3. But that’s about to change as the coronal hole high-speed stream ramps up.

What’s ahead? Sun–Earth forecast

Flare activity forecast

Forecasters expect low levels of flare activity in the coming days. Chances for M-class (moderate) flares hold at 40%. Meanwhile, chances for an isolated X-class (strong) flare stay at 5%. But these numbers could drop with the departure of sunspot region AR4438. The remaining numbered sunspot regions on the sun’s disk appear either stable or in decay.

Geomagnetic activity forecast

  • May 15 (Thursday): Expect active-to-storming conditions later today. Fast solar wind from the large coronal hole combined with a co-rotating interaction region (CIR) should drive the activity. Earth’s magnetic field might reach G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm levels as the transequatorial coronal hole stream ramps up. Aurora watchers at higher latitudes should get cameras ready!
  • May 16 (Friday): G1 (minor) geomagnetic storming may continue through the day as the high-speed stream persists.
  • May 17 (Saturday): Expect more G1 (minor) conditions as lingering effects of the high-speed solar wind persist. Auroral displays may continue through the weekend. Aurora chasers, stay alert. Clear skies!
Sun, with threads of gas bursting forth from a glowing spot on it.
Sun news for May 14-15, 2026. A filament erupted into space, starting at 2:56 UTC on May 15, in the vicinity of AR4436. The GOES-19 SUVI imager used the 304-angstrom wavelength channel to capture the liftoff. Images via NOAA/GOES.
Sun news for May 14-15, 2026. Here’s a 2nd filament eruption from the northwestern edge of the sun. The NOAA GOES-19 SUVI imager’s 304-angstrom wavelength channel caught this one, too. Images via NOAA/GOES.
The sun, seen as a large yellow sphere with dark spots, each labeled.
This image shows sun activity – with the most active regions labeled – as of 2 UTC on May 15, 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?

Sun news May 14: Auroras on the way this weekend?

Auroras are possible from tomorrow through the weekend! That’s because a large coronal hole – an area of lower density in the sun’s outer atmosphere – is now facing straight at Earth. And this is no ordinary coronal hole. It stretches from the sun’s northern to southern hemisphere, crossing the solar equator. That makes it a transequatorial coronal hole, one of the more potent drivers of geomagnetic activity at Earth. The fast solar wind streaming out of it should start hitting our planet’s magnetic field tomorrow. Experts are now forecasting G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storms, which could bring auroras to high latitudes. Don’t forget to share your aurora photos with us!

Past 24 hours of sun news

(11 UTC May 13 – 11 UTC May 14)

Flare activity

Over the past day, solar activity held at low levels. The sun produced only C-class (common) flares. In total, it fired 13 C-class flares.

  • Strongest flare: C5.5 from AR4435 in the northwest, peaking at 6:42 UTC on May 14.
  • Lead flare producer: A tie at the top once again! AR4432, now lost over the northwest horizon, is still flaring from behind the limb. It fired 6 C-class flares, as did AR4435.

Sunspot regions

Currently, the Earth-facing side of our sun shows 4 numbered active regions. Two newcomers received official numbers during the period: AR4437, which rapidly decayed to plage, and AR4438 in the northwest. All sunspot regions carry either beta or alpha configurations. As a result, the risk of strong flares stays low.

Blasts from the sun?

Available coronagraph imagery showed no coronal mass ejections (CMEs) over the past 24 hours.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind

Solar wind speeds slightly increased to moderate-high levels starting around 12 UTC on May 13. However, they dropped back to moderate levels by the end of the period. Meanwhile, the total interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) stayed weak.

Bz and magnetic coupling

The Bz component kept shifting between north and south through the period. However, at 3 UTC this morning, it turned northward. It has stayed there through the time of this writing. As always, a northward Bz keeps Earth’s magnetic shield closed and limits auroral activity.

Earth’s magnetic field

Over the past day, Earth’s magnetic field ranged from quiet to unsettled levels (Kp 1–3). Currently, the Kp index sits just below level 2.

Sun news for May 14, 2026. This image from NOAA’s GOES-19 satellite reveals a massive coronal hole now facing straight at Earth. Image via NOAA/GOES.
Sun news for May 14, 2026. This image shows NOAA’s OVATION aurora model from the Space Weather Prediction Center, displaying the forecast auroral oval for this evening. The model uses real-time solar wind data to predict where aurora is most likely to appear. Image via NOAA/SWPC.
Sun news for May 14, 2026. This video from NOAA’s GOES-19 SUVI in the 304 angstrom channel captures a beautiful filament eruption in the southwest near the solar horizon at around 1 UTC on May 14. Video via NOAA/GOES.

Sun news May 13: A huge coronal hole is now facing Earth

A large coronal hole – an area of lower density in the sun’s outer atmosphere – is now facing straight at Earth. The fast solar wind streaming from this hole should start reaching us on Friday, likely triggering G1 (minor) or even G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storms. And that means possible auroras at high latitudes!

Past 24 hours of sun news

(11 UTC May 12 – 11 UTC May 13)

Flare activity

Solar activity continued at low levels over the past day with the production of only C-class (common) and B-class (weak) flares. An increase in flare production was noted, though, with the sun firing 14 flares: 10 C-class and 4 B-class.

As sunspot region AR4432 departs it keeps producing gorgeous jets. An incoming active region on the northeast responded with its own powerful jets. Take a look at the imagery below.

  • Strongest flare: C2.3 from AR4436 in the northeast, peaking at 6:40 UTC on May 13.
  • Lead flare producer: Once again AR4432 is at the top of the list. It blasted out 9 flares: 5 Cs plus all 4 B-class flares of the period.

Sunspot regions

Currently the Earth-facing side of our star shows 4 numbered active regions. AR4432 keeps its beta-gamma configuration and it is now at the very edge of the solar northwest horizon, prompt to depart to the far side. AR4436 shows a beta magnetic configuration, and is now the largest sunspot region on the solar face we see from Earth. The rest of the sunspot regions show either a beta or alpha configuration.

Blasts from the sun?

We observed no coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in available coronagraph imagery during the past day. But forecasters still await the coronal mass ejection (CME) produced during the M5.8 event from AR4436 on May 10. It may provide a glancing blow late today. Conditions for a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm are not ruled out.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind

Solar wind speeds averaged moderate-low-to-moderate levels during the period. The total interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) increased to strong levels.

Bz and magnetic coupling

The Bz component kept shifting between north and south orientations throughout the past day, ending south at the time of this writing.

Earth’s magnetic field

Earth’s magnetic field remained at very quiet levels (Kp 0–1). At the time of this writing, Earth’s magnetic field sits slightly above level 1 on the Kp index scale.

Sun news.
Sun news for May 13, 2026. A large coronal hole has moved into a geoeffective position, meaning the fast solar wind it produces will start heading our way. First arrival is anticipated by May 15, possibly bringing G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storming. Auroras might be on the way! GOES-19 SUVI 195 angstrom. Image via NOAA.
Sun news.
May 13, 2026. Prolific active region AR4432 is departing over the northwest solar horizon. It kept flaring and producing jets all day long. An incoming active region on the northeast horizon responded back with a gorgeous jet blasted from the far side. GOES-19 SUVI 304 angstrom. Images via NOAA.
Sun news.
Sun news for May 12, 2026. We observed an impressive, synchronized eruption of 2 prominences in opposite directions yesterday evening. Image via NOAA.

Sun news May 12: A pair of fiery simultaneous eruptions

The sun treated us to a pair of gorgeous, fiery eruptions over the northwest and southeast horizons around 17 UTC yesterday evening. These beautifully synchronized blasts sent chunks of sun-stuff into space, but neither are heading Earthward. However, we’re still awaiting a possible impact of sun-stuff fired out in Sunday’s M5.8 (moderate) flare. This might reach our magnetic field late today or tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Past 24 hours of sun news

(11 UTC May 11 – 11 UTC May 12)

Flare activity

Over the past day, solar activity returned to low levels with the production of only C-class (common) and B-class (weak) flares. In total, the sun fired 9 flares: 6 C-class and 3 B-class.

  • Strongest flare: C1.9 from AR4432, peaking at 14:15 UTC on May 11.
  • Lead flare producer: AR4432 blasted out all 9 flares of the period.

Sunspot regions

Today the Earth-facing side of our sun is populated with 4 numbered active regions. AR4432 keeps its beta-gamma configuration and AR4436 lost the gamma complexity shown yesterday.

Blasts from the sun?

At around 4:16 UTC on May 11, a filament in the south hemisphere erupted, hurling a blob of solar stuff into space. The event is under modeling and analysis to determine if a component of this coronal mass ejection (CME) is coming our way at Earth. The coronal mass ejection (CME) produced during the M5.8 event from AR4436 on May 10, may provide a possible glancing blow late today or tomorrow. This might trigger a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm … or it might deliver only a weak disturbance or miss entirely!

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind

Solar wind speeds averaged moderate-low levels during this period. The total interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) stayed weak.

Bz and magnetic coupling

The Bz component shifted between north and south orientations throughout the past day.

Earth’s magnetic field

Over the past day, Earth’s magnetic field remained at quiet levels (Kp 1–2). At the time of this writing, Earth’s magnetic field sits at level 1 on the Kp index scale.

Sun news.
Sun news for May 11, 2026. A filament eruption was observed in the solar south hemisphere. The event occurred at around 4:16 UTC on May 11. The blob of solar stuff or coronal mass ejection (CME) is under modeling and analysis to determine if a component is heading our way at Earth. The image was captured by NOAA’s GOES-19 in its 304 angstrom channel. Image via NOAA.
Sun news.
May 11, 2026. The SOHO spacecraft’s LASCO C3 instrument has captured Mercury entering its field of view over the past few days! Image via NASA/ SOHO.

Sun news May 11: M5 flare erupts, sun-stuff may glance Earth

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.

The sun in recent days

The sun, seen as a large yellow sphere with dark spots, each labeled.
This image shows sun activity – with the most active regions labeled – as of 6 UTC on May 14, 2026. Image via NASA/ SDO.
The sun, seen as a large yellow sphere with dark spots, each labeled.
This image shows sun activity – with the most active regions labeled – as of 3 UTC on May 13, 2026. Image via NASA/ SDO.
The sun, seen as a large yellow sphere with dark spots, each labeled.
This image shows sun activity – with the most active regions labeled – as of 7 UTC on May 12, 2026. Image via NASA/ SDO.

Earlier sun images

The sun, seen as a large yellow sphere with dark spots, each labeled.
This image shows sun activity – with the most active regions labeled – as of 2 UTC on May 11, 2026. Image via NASA/ SDO.
The sun, seen as a large yellow sphere with dark spots, each labeled.
This image shows sun activity – with the most active regions labeled – as of 5 UTC on May 10, 2026. Image via NASA/ SDO.
The sun, seen as a large yellow sphere with dark spots, each labeled.
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

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 May 14, 2026. Patricio wrote: “AR4436 is the only more or less conspicuous sunspot present, although tiny AR4435, at upper far right, is more active in flares production. The big coronal hole facing Earth is still open but with no influence in solar wind speed or auroral activity at this moment.” Thank you, Patricio!
The sun, seen as a large yellow sphere with a mottled surface.
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Jim Militello in Tucson, Arizona, captured this filtered image on May 14, 2026. Jim wrote: “Hydrogen-alpha image of the sun showing active regions, filaments and prominences.” Thank you, Jim!
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 May 14, 2026. Victor wrote: “As seen through clear skies, All of these sunspots have stable magnetic fields that pose no threat for strong solar flares.” Thank you, Victor!

More sun images from our community

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 May 12, 2026. Mario wrote: “The sun in hydrogen-alpha, helium D3, and iron.” Thank you, Mario!
The sun, seen as a large yellow sphere with a mottled surface.
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!
The sun, seen as a large gray sphere with small dark spots.
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 15, 2026. A G2 geomagetic storm is expected today as solar winds ramp up. Auroras possible at high latitudes this weekend.

Submit your photos here.

View community photos here.

Posted 
May 15, 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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