Sun news: Big sun blast sparks geomagnetic storm and auroras

Sun news August 3: Big sun blast sparks geomagnetic storm and auroras

Today’s top story: Earth’s magnetic field lit up yesterday from a huge blast of solar materials and magnetic fields from the sun. A coronal mass ejection (CME) slammed into our planet’s magnetosphere around midday on August 2. Forecasters believe the impact was either a slow-moving CME launched on July 27, or a glancing blow from a July 30 eruption. Either way, it drove geomagnetic storm conditions to G2 (moderate) levels. As a result, auroral displays became possible across northern Scotland, Scandinavia and similar high-latitude locations. Did you see them? Post your photo to our community page!

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 2 – 11 UTC August 3)

Flare activity: The sun itself took a breather over the past day. Flare production remained at low levels, with only minor C-class (common) or weaker flares recorded. Observers logged 2 C-class and 2 B-class (weak) flares during the period.

• Strongest flare: NOAA noted a C6.3 flare from an area around the northwest limb at 05:35 UTC on August 2 as the largest event of the broader 24-hour summary. But it fell just before our reporting window. Within the 11 UTC to 11 UTC window, the strongest flare was a C1.3 from sunspot region AR4492 at 14:41 UTC on August 2.
• In addition, sunspot region AR4498 fired a C1.0 flare at 00:39 UTC on August 3.

Sunspot regions: The Earth-facing solar disk displayed approximately seven to 10 numbered active regions during the period. The SIDC identified ten groups, while NOAA focused on the most significant ones.

• AR4498 (beta-delta): This region continued as the largest and most magnetically complex on the visible disk. It features a moderately large lead spot, plus a cluster of peripheral minor spots to the south that includes a weak delta configuration. As it approaches center disk, it remains the primary source for elevated flare potential.
• AR4499: Located just northeast of AR4498, this region drew the SIDC’s attention as the most magnetically complex (beta-delta). It also produced most of the minor flaring activity. But it showed overall weakening in recent imagery.
• AR4501 (beta): This region showed the most growth during the period. So it warrants monitoring in the coming days.
• AR4492: This region produced the C6.3 and C1.3 flares. But it now sits at the extreme northwest limb and is rotating out of view.
• Finally, a moderate-size bipolar region in the southwest quadrant, likely AR4496, provided some additional flare potential. Even so, it showed recent decay in its trailing portion. The remaining regions stayed relatively simpler, smaller and largely stable, with only minor changes.

Blasts from the sun? Observers spotted no Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in available coronagraph imagery during the period. They did catalog one non-Earth-directed CME.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: A CME-driven interplanetary shock dramatically reshaped solar wind conditions when it arrived at 11:29 UTC on August 2. Before the shock, solar wind speeds sat at a sluggish 290 km/s. The shock then drove speeds sharply to about 350 km/s. From there, they climbed unsteadily to a peak of 440 km/s by 17:17 UTC. Afterward, speeds eased below 400 km/s following 22:00 UTC. Solar wind density also jumped from 4 to 33 particles per cubic centimeter during the shock arrival.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The total interplanetary magnetic field jumped from 4 nT to about 14 nT at shock onset. It eventually peaked at a strong 22 nT around 15:00 UTC. Meanwhile, the Bz component initially dropped to –8 nT. Then it plunged to –17 nT at 15:02 UTC. That deeply southward orientation opened the door for significant energy transfer into Earth’s magnetosphere. By around 19 UTC, the Bz rotated northward and stayed mostly moderate in strength.

Earth’s magnetic field: The geomagnetic field stayed quiet (Kp 0–2) during the first half of the past day. Then it responded vigorously to the CME arrival. Conditions escalated rapidly, reaching G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm levels (Kp 6) between approximately 12:00–21:00 UTC on August 2. Across multiple three-hour synoptic periods, Kp ranged from 3–5, meaning active to G1 (minor) storm conditions. Notably, the peak storm interval coincided with the deeply southward Bz near 15:00 UTC. After the Bz rotated northward around 19:00 UTC, activity gradually subsided. Aurora may have appeared over locations such as Edinburgh, northern England and similar latitudes. However, short summer nights limited viewing opportunities.

What’s ahead? Sun–Earth forecast

Flare activity forecast: Forecasters expect low levels of solar activity to continue over August 3–5, with C-class flares likely. A slight chance (20%) exists for M-class (moderate) flares (R1–R2, minor–moderate radio blackouts). AR4498 and AR4499 are the primary candidates, since both retain beta-delta magnetic configurations near center disk. AR4501, which showed the most growth this period, also bears watching. Meanwhile, the chance for X-class (strong) flares remains very low (1%).

Geomagnetic activity forecast:

• August 3: Expect G1 (minor) storm levels early in the day, with a chance for G2 conditions, as lingering CME effects continue to influence Earth’s magnetic field. Auroras might remain visible from locations such as Edinburgh, northern Scotland, Oslo and similar high latitudes, where cloud breaks and darkness allow. Through mid- to late-day, conditions should ease to active levels (Kp 4), with a chance for isolated G1 periods. An outside chance also exists for a weak glancing impact from the July 31 filament eruption CME, which could briefly reinforce unsettled conditions. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux will likely remain at normal to moderate levels.
• August 4: Expect mostly quiet to unsettled conditions (Kp 1–3) as CME influences fully diminish. Two weak CMEs from July 31 have model runs suggesting arrival around 08:00–14:00 UTC. However, Kp estimates of only 2–3 indicate these would produce at most unsettled conditions. A return to near-background solar wind levels is likely. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux should remain near background.
• August 5: Quiet conditions (Kp 0–2) should prevail, with no significant solar wind drivers forecast. Any residual effects from the July 31 CME arrivals should have fully subsided by then. Solar wind parameters should sit at background levels.

Sun news August 2 (11 UTC): CME bearing down on Earth as storm watch begins

A fast coronal mass ejection (CME) launched from the sun on July 30 is bearing down on Earth. Forecasters expect it to arrive by midday today (August 2). It will likely trigger G1–G2 (minor–moderate) geomagnetic storms, with a slight chance of reaching G3 (strong) levels. If the storms materialize, aurora could dance across the skies from Edinburgh and Seattle to Toronto, Chicago, and possibly as far south as London and New York. Cloud breaks and short summer nights will determine who sees the show.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC August 1 – 11 UTC August 2)

Flare activity: The sun maintained low-to-moderate levels of flaring over the past day. Observers recorded eight C-class (common) flares during the period. The strongest was a C6.3 from AR4492 as it approached the sun’s western limb (edge). In addition, sunspot region AR4498 quietly developed a small delta magnetic feature in its trailing spots. That keeps forecasters watchful for a possible M-class eruption in the days ahead.

• Strongest flare: A C6.3 from AR4492 (N16W88) at 05:19 UTC on August 2. As a C-class event, it produced no radio blackout. Still, the flare stood out given the region’s position near the western limb.
• Lead flare producer: AR4492 dominated, firing seven of the eight flares. Its tally: a C2.0 at 20:02 UTC, a C1.9 at 20:20 UTC, a C1.1 at 21:30 UTC, and a C2.5 at 22:29 UTC on August 1. Then came a C4.0 at 00:20 UTC, a C1.6 at 01:55 UTC, and the C6.3 at 05:19 UTC on August 2. This region now sits at the extreme western limb and will soon rotate out of view.
• Meanwhile, AR4499 contributed one C1.0 flare at 13:24 UTC on August 1.

Sunspot regions: The Earth-facing solar disk displayed at least six numbered active regions, with mixed evolutionary trends.

• AR4492 (N16W88): The period’s most prolific flare producer sat at the extreme western limb. It will rotate out of view imminently. Even from that limb position, it continued firing off a steady stream of C-class flares.
• AR4498 (beta-delta): This region showed growth during the period. It also developed a small delta feature in its trailing spots. That magnetic configuration increases the chance of stronger flares. Therefore, this region bears close watching.
• AR4499 (beta): This region produced a few low-level C-class flares. However, it showed signs of decay.
• AR4501 (beta): This region continued to show areal growth and a slight increase in spot count. Even so, it stayed quiet in terms of flare production.
• AR4502 (beta): This region received its number during the period. So far, it has remained inactive.
• Finally, the remaining regions on the visible disk stayed mostly unchanged or in gradual decay.

Blasts from the sun? Observers spotted no new Earth-directed CMEs during the past day. But three previously launched CMEs remain under analysis. That includes the significant eruption from July 30 now approaching Earth.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind conditions remained sluggish and near background levels throughout the period. Speeds averaged near 250 km/s, well below typical values.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) total strength (Bt) stayed weak. Meanwhile, the Bz component fluctuated mildly between north and south directions, with no sustained southward intervals. For now, that keeps the door to Earth’s magnetosphere firmly closed. The phi angle pointed predominantly in the positive (away) solar sector. In short, these calm conditions represent the lull before the anticipated CME arrival. That arrival should bring a sharp jump in wind speed, field strength, and southward Bz.

Earth’s magnetic field: Earth’s magnetic field stayed quiet throughout the period, with Kp remaining at 0–1. Conditions crossed no G-scale storm thresholds. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux reached high levels, peaking at 1,156 pfu at 16:35 UTC on August 1. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux stayed slightly elevated above background, then decreased below the S1 (Minor) radiation storm threshold. This quiet picture should change dramatically later today as the July 30 CME arrives.

Sun news August 1: Huge chunk of solar stuff coming to us at Earth

A huge chunk of solar stuff is coming our way at Earth. After the M1.9 flare from active region AR4492 we reported yesterday, specialists confirmed a big coronal mass ejection (CME) is heading toward Earth. The event wasn’t that strong in terms of flare strength. But it was a slow, long-lasting blast. That gave it power enough to hurl a massive amount of plasma into space, far more than other faint CMEs we’ve seen recently. Forecasters anticipate arrival in the first hours of August 2. Given the CME’s size and strength, specialists estimate an impact that may trigger enhancements up to G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm levels. So consider yourself alerted, aurora watchers. This could be a weekend show!

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC July 31 – 11 UTC August 1)

Flare activity: Solar activity dropped back to low levels, with fewer flares and only C flares over the past day. Total flare production of the period was seven flares, all C-class.

• Strongest flare: A C3.9 from AR4499 peaking at 11:47 UTC on July 31.
• Lead flare producer: AR4499 was the most productive sunspot region. Out of the seven flares of the period, it produced five of the C flares logged over the past day.

Sunspot regions: Today, our sun shows six numbered active regions as we see the solar disk from Earth. Only one region shows a beta-gamma magnetic complexity: AR4498. Meanwhile, AR4499 and AR4501 showed decay and lost their gamma complexity. Both now show a simpler beta configuration. The rest of the sunspot regions on the Earth-viewed solar disk show either alpha or beta configurations.

Blasts from the sun? Observers spotted no newer coronal mass ejections (CMEs) during this period. However, we still await the arrival later today on August 1 of a faint CME hurled into space on July 27. Bigger enhancements should follow with the arrival of the chunk of solar stuff from the M1.9 event. That one may trigger interesting disturbances on August 2.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind speeds averaged low levels throughout the whole period.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) showed a slight increase to moderate levels from 11 to 21:30 UTC on July 31. After that, it returned to weak levels. Meanwhile, the Bz component pointed mostly northward, with a couple of weak south-oriented peaks. There were no notable enhancements to report during this period. As always, a sustained south-oriented Bz component can deliver auroral displays.

Earth’s magnetic field: Earth’s magnetic field stayed quiet throughout the period, with the Kp index sitting at 1–2. At 11 UTC on August 1, the Kp index sits just at level 1.

Sun news July 31: M flare breaks lull as Jupiter sails by

An M flare has finally broken the activity lull on the sun. Sunspot region AR4492 in the northwest sparked the M1.9 blast at 17 UTC yesterday, just before rotating off the Earth-viewed side of our star. It was not an especially strong flare, but it lasted a long time, and sent a huge burst of solar material into space. Specialists are currently waiting to see if some of this coronal mass ejection (CME) might be heading toward Earth. From our perspective, the blast seemed to smother the planet Jupiter, which was edging away from our star after it reached solar conjunction – when it reached the far side of the sun from Earth – on Wednesday. Don’t miss this beautiful coincidence of perspective above!

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC July 30 – 11 UTC July 31)

Flare activity: Solar activity reached moderate levels. The sun produced a total of 16 flares: one M flare and fifteen C flares over the past day.

• Strongest flare: An M1.9 from AR4492 peaking at 17 UTC on July 30. It triggered an R1 (minor) radio blackout over the Bahamas.
• Lead flare producer: AR4500 topped the list during this period. It produced five of the C flares logged over the past day.

Sunspot regions: Currently, our star shows eight numbered active regions on the side we see from Earth. Three of them show a beta-gamma magnetic complexity: AR4498, AR4499, and AR4501. All three showed slight growth during this period. In particular, AR4499 developed a delta configuration in its leader spots, then returned to a gamma configuration. The rest of the sunspot regions on the Earth-viewed solar disk show either alpha or beta configurations.

Blasts from the sun? Observers spotted a chunk of solar stuff hurled into space during the M1.9 event from AR4492. Specialists are now modeling and analyzing this coronal mass ejection (CME) to determine whether a component is heading our way. Notably, LASCO C3 registered a partial halo event during the blast.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind conditions continued at low levels throughout the whole period.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field remained at weak levels. Meanwhile, the Bz component kept shifting between southward and northward , though a southward orientation predominated. A sustained south-oriented Bz component can deliver auroral displays.

Earth’s magnetic field: Earth’s magnetic field stayed quiet throughout the period, with the Kp index sitting at 1–2. At 11 UTC on July 31, the Kp index sits just at level 1.

Sun news July 30: Chunks of solar stuff on their way to Earth

Forecasters have confirmed that two chunks of sun-stuff are on their way to Earth. These bursts, fired by the sun on July 26 and 27, are fairly faint, and should give our magnetic field only glancing blows between today and August 1. Even so, they might trigger G1 (minor) geomagnetic storming in the coming days. That’s because the waves of solar stuff may combine with fast solar wind streaming from a coronal hole. So fingers crossed for clear skies, all you aurora hunters!

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC July 29 – 11 UTC July 30)

Flare activity: Solar activity stayed low, with only faint C flares. Our sun produced a total of nine C flares over the past day.

• Strongest flare: A C3.9 from AR4500 peaking at 6:06 UTC on July 30.
• Lead flare producer: AR4498 reached the top of the list during this period, producing six of the C flares logged over the past day.

Sunspot regions: The Earth-facing solar disk filled up fast, with nine numbered active regions visible today. A newcomer that emerged in the northeast quadrant became the first to reach the 4500 label, now officially numbered AR4500. After that came AR4501 in the southeast. These active regions have been changing rapidly. Today, three of them show a beta-gamma magnetic complexity: AR4498, AR4499, and AR4501. The rest of the sunspot regions on the Earth-viewed solar disk show either alpha or beta configurations.

Blasts from the sun? Observers spotted no new coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in available coronagraph imagery. However, we still await the arrival of the CME produced on July 26 from AR4494, which should reach Earth on July 30. In addition, the filament eruption we saw at 6 UTC on July 27 sent a component our way. It may deliver a faint glancing blow, with an arrival time around August 1.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind conditions averaged moderate-low levels during the whole period.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field stayed at weak strength during this period. Meanwhile, the Bz component pointed southward for the first half of the period, until 21:30 UTC on July 29. After that, it turned mostly northward for the rest of the period. At the time of this writing, it swung back to a south orientation. As always, a sustained south-oriented Bz component favors auroral displays.

Earth’s magnetic field: Earth’s magnetic field stayed quiet throughout the period, with the Kp index sitting at 0–2. At 11 UTC on July 30, the Kp index sits just above level 1.

Sun news July 29: Flare activity drops as our star takes a breather

Our star is going through a lull. Its tally of six C flares over the past day was half of the previous day’s total. The main hope of an uptick in activity lies with active region AR4498, which fired all of the past day’s flares. Now located near the northeast horizon, it currently carries a modest beta configuration. As it moves into a more central location, a better analysis of its magnetic configuration will become possible. Let’s see how this sunspot group develops.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC July 28 – 11 UTC July 29)

Flare activity: Solar activity continued at low levels with faint flares. Our sun produced a total of six C flares.

• Strongest flare: A C1.9 from AR4498 peaking at 5:54 UTC on July 29.
• Lead flare producer: AR4498 reached the top of the list during this period. In fact, it produced all six C flares logged today.

Sunspot regions: The Earth-facing solar disk shows seven numbered active regions today. Among them is a newcomer that emerged in the southeast quadrant, now officially numbered AR4499. All of the sunspot regions on the Earth-viewed side of our sun show simpler alpha or beta configurations. As noted, all flare production of the period centered on AR4498. The rest stayed stable or in decay, with no flare production or significant behavior to report.

Blasts from the sun? Observers registered no new coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in available coronagraph imagery. However, the CME produced during the M3.2 (moderate) flare at 15:29 UTC on July 26 from AR4494 is on its way to Earth. Forecasters estimate arrival late on July 30. In addition, the filament eruption we saw at 6 UTC on July 27 sent a component our way. It may deliver a faint glancing blow, with an arrival time around August 1.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind conditions averaged moderate-low levels during this period. Meanwhile, a large coronal hole now sits over the central meridian in the sun’s southern hemisphere. It lies too far south to squarely face us, but a portion of the fast solar wind it produces may start reaching Earth in the next few days.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) started the period at moderate levels. Then it slowly decreased to weak strength at the time of this writing. Meanwhile, the Bz component pointed southward for most of the period, with a few weak northward fluctuations. As always, a sustained south-oriented Bz component favors auroral displays.

Earth’s magnetic field: Earth’s magnetic field stayed quiet throughout the period, with the Kp index remaining at 1–3. At the end of our observation period, at 11 UTC on July 29, the Kp index sits just above level 1.

Sun news July 28: A synchronized double sun eruption

The sun returned to a low flare level over the past day, producing C-class (common) flares only. But our star still surprised us by blasting out two synchronized eruptions. The first started at around 6 UTC on July 27. It was a huge filament eruption, hurling tons of plasma into space. The event was centered over the sun’s central meridian, or midline, just north of where it meets the solar equator. Remarkably, as this filament eruption began, a huge prominence appeared on the sun’s northwest horizon. That signaled a similar event on the far side.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC July 27 – 11 UTC July 28)

Flare activity: Solar activity returned to low levels. Observers logged 12 flares, all C-class flares.

• Strongest flare: A C5.2 from AR4494 peaking at 3:18 UTC on July 28.
• Lead flare producer: AR4494 topped the list with 7 flares, including the strongest of the day, the C5.2.

Sunspot regions: The Earth-facing solar disk shows 5 numbered active regions today. Among them is a newcomer just over the northeast shoulder of our sun, now officially numbered AR4498.

• AR4494 (beta): This region continued as the most active on the solar disk. It lost its delta magnetic configuration. Nevertheless, it kept producing C-class flares during the period.
• AR4493 (beta): This region kept decaying and lost its gamma configuration during the period. It now shows a simpler beta configuration. It produced no flares.
• AR4495 (beta): This region showed no significant changes. It also produced no flaring activity.
• AR4496 (beta): This region continued to decay through the period. As it did yesterday, it produced an isolated low C-class flare.
• AR4498 (beta): This region received its number during the period. It still sits too close to the northeast horizon for a complete analysis. Even so, it produced a couple of C-class flares.

Blasts from the sun? Observers spotted a coronal mass ejection (CME) during the M3.2 (moderate) flare at 15:29 UTC on July 26 from AR4494. Initial analysis shows a chunk of solar stuff heading our way, with an arrival time late on July 30. Meanwhile, the filament eruption we report above hurled a separate CME into space. Analysis of its propagation path is ongoing.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind conditions continued at low levels as the influence of a coronal hole high-speed stream waned.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field started the period at weak levels. Then it increased to moderate strength starting at 15:30 UTC. Meanwhile, the Bz component fluctuated mildly between north and south. That was insufficient to drive significant geomagnetic activity.

Earth’s magnetic field: Earth’s magnetic field stayed quiet throughout the period, with the Kp index remaining at 1–3.

Sun news July 27: Sun-stuff could reach Earth today

A blast of solar material that was launched from the sun on July 24 should give Earth a glancing blow later today. This impact could disturb our magnetic field, possibly triggering G1 (minor) or even G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storms. So aurora watchers in northern Scotland, Scandinavia and similar high-latitude locations should stay alert! Meanwhile, an M3.2 (moderate) flare from AR4494 yesterday afternoon showed signs of blasting more solar material into space. Confirmation remains pending; we’ll let you know in tomorrow’s sun update if this blast is confirmed and, if so, whether it could be on its way to Earth.

Past 24 hours on the sun

(11 UTC July 26 – 11 UTC July 27)

Flare activity: Solar activity reached moderate levels. Observers logged 7 flares: 2 M-class flares and 5 C-class (common) flares.

• Strongest flare: An M3.2 from AR4494 peaking at 15:28 UTC on July 26. This event triggered an R1 (minor) radio blackout, briefly affecting high-frequency communications over the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean.
• Second M-class flare: An M1.0 from AR4494 at 2:32 UTC on July 27. It produced an R1 (minor) radio blackout over the western Pacific and East Asia.
• Lead flare producer: AR4494 topped the list. It fired 4 of the 7 flares, including both M-class events and two C-class flares.

Sunspot regions: The Earth-facing solar disk displayed at least 6 numbered active regions, with one new region numbered during the period.

• AR4494 (beta-delta): This region remained the most active on the disk. It maintained a weak delta magnetic configuration, which can produce significant flares. However, its spot area continued to decay overall. It produced both M-class flares during the period.
• AR4493 (beta-gamma): This region showed significant decay in its trailing spots as it approached the western horizon. Its magnetic complexity reduced from beta-gamma to beta. It produced several low C-class flares.
• AR4495 (beta): This region displayed decent growth during the period. It also contributed multiple low-level C-class flares. This region is one to watch for further development.
• AR4496 (beta): This region initially showed slight growth. Then it began to decay about halfway through the period. It produced isolated low C-class flaring.
• AR4497 (beta): This region received its number during the period. It stayed inactive and appears simple and stable for the time being.

Blasts from the sun? Observers detected two CMEs during the period. However, limited coronagraph imagery complicates the analysis.

• CME associated with the M3.2 flare (July 26, ~16:23 UTC): A coronal mass ejection appeared in coronagraph imagery beginning around 16:23 UTC on July 26. It originated from AR4494’s M3.2 flare. Given the near-central-disk location of the source region, an Earth-directed component seems likely. However, NOAA noted that no CME had been confirmed in coronagraph imagery as of its 00:30 UTC discussion. The UK Met Office likewise indicated analysis was still pending.
• Second CME (July 26, ~20:26 UTC): A separate CME appeared beginning around 20:26 UTC on July 26 from an unknown source region. Currently, forecasters predict no Earth impacts from this event.
• Earlier CME from July 24 (approaching Earth): NOAA and the UK Met Office both highlight a CME launched on July 24. They expect it to deliver a weak, glancing blow to Earth late on July 27. This is the primary driver for the geomagnetic activity forecast over the next 24–48 hours.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind: Solar wind conditions continued to ease as the influence of a coronal hole high-speed stream waned. Speeds steadily decreased to background levels over the period.

Bt, Bz and magnetic coupling: The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) stayed weak. Meanwhile, the Bz component fluctuated mildly between north and south. That was insufficient to drive significant geomagnetic activity.

Earth’s magnetic field: Earth’s magnetic field stayed quiet throughout the period, with the Kp index remaining at 0–2.

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Bottom line: Sun news August 3, 2026: A blast from the sun triggered bright auroras at high latitudes. Space weather may remain active today. Stay tunned!

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