Solar Alert News

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  • Sun unleashes back-to-back blasts: today’s X5.1 flare merges with yesterday’s eruption in a powerful solar one-two

    Image of the powerful X5.1 solar flare recorded on 11 November 2025 by NASA’s SDO/AIA spacecraft, originating from active region AR 4274.

    General summary.

    The Sun has spent the past week in a lively mood, and over the last 24 hours it delivered a spectacular double act. On 11 November 2025, a giant sunspot group—Active Region 4274—released a massive X5.1 solar flare at 10:04 UTC, among the most energetic explosions of the current solar cycle. Just a day earlier, on 10 November, the same region had fired another X1.2 flare, sending a cloud of charged particles—the so-called coronal mass ejection (CME)—racing toward Earth. Today’s new blast has launched a second, even faster CME that is expected to catch up and merge with the previous one as both travel through space. When two CMEs combine, their magnetic fields can intensify, raising the chance of strong geomagnetic storms once they reach Earth’s magnetic field. According to NOAA forecasters, the merged shock front could arrive late on 12 November, potentially sparking bright auroras visible far beyond polar latitudes and briefly affecting satellite operations, radio links, and power systems at high latitudes.

    Throughout the week, the same restless sunspot has been the source of multiple smaller flares, building up magnetic tension on the solar surface. The Sun’s activity is part of its natural 11-year cycle, but this sequence of powerful eruptions stands out for their timing and alignment. Experts emphasize that while such storms are not dangerous for people on the ground, they can have significant effects on technology in space and on long-range communications.

    Extended technical summary (UTC times)

    • Major flares (GOES X-ray): X5.1 at 10:04 UTC, 11 Nov (R3 radio blackout); X1.2 at 09:19 UTC, 10 Nov; X1.7 at 07:35 UTC, 9 Nov.

    • CMEs: The 10 Nov flare produced a full-halo, Earth-directed CME (~1,300 km/s). The 11 Nov event launched another fast CME that models (NOAA WSA-ENLIL) predict will overtake and merge with the earlier one en route to Earth. Arrival is expected late 11 Nov–early 12 Nov, likely enhancing geomagnetic impact.

    • Solar-wind conditions at L1 (past 24 h): speed 410–590 km/s, density 1–6 cm⁻³, IMF Bt 0.4–8.7 nT, Bz fluctuating −4.6 to +6.4 nT. No shock passage yet as of this report.

    • Geomagnetic response: Weekly maximum Kp = 6 (G2 Moderate); Dst minimum = −138 nT (6 Nov). NOAA currently maintains a G4 (Severe) watch for 12 Nov and G3 (Strong) for 13 Nov.

    • Aurora: Strong displays on 5–6 Nov across North America and northern Europe; broader visibility expected 12–13 Nov if merged CMEs arrive as forecast.

    • Active regions / sunspots: AR 4274 classified βγδ, area ≈920 MSH, position N24W24 on 10 Nov; it remains the dominant source of activity.

    • Solar radio flux (F10.7 cm): 168 sfu (observed), 164.7 sfu (adjusted) at 20:00 UTC 11 Nov. Weekly EISN ≈ 145 (6–11 Nov).

    Primary sources

    NOAA SWPC (GOES X-ray, Kp, WSA-ENLIL); NASA SDO/AIA-HMI & SOHO/LASCO; SIDC/SILSO; GFZ Potsdam; WDC Kyoto; DRAO Penticton.

    All figures verified against the cited primary sources and expressed in UTC.

  • X-flares and a fast CME set up a strong geomagnetic week – Solar Week 45 (2025)

    On 04 November 2025, the Sun unleashed an X1.8 flare that triggered a brief but strong radio blackout on the daylight side of Earth. Forecasters then flagged a potential impact from a fast, partially Earth-directed coronal mass ejection (CME). By 06 November, the disturbance arrived and the geomagnetic field reached G3 (strong) levels, lighting up high-latitude skies with bright auroras and creating a choppier-than-usual environment for satellites and radio users.  

    Image: Powerful X-class solar flare observed on 4 November 2025 by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO/AIA 131 Å). The eruption originated from active region AR 4274, producing a strong radio blackout and a fast CME.

    • Flares (≥M): X1.8 peak at 17:34 on 04 Nov from Region 4274 (R3 radio blackout). A strong M7.4 peaked 22:07 on 05 Nov; additional M1.1 at 04:31–04:39 on 06 Nov from Region 4276.  

    • CMEs: LASCO/CACTus logged multiple CMEs; notably 04 Nov 17:36 a partial-halo (~120°) with median speed ~892 km/s, consistent with the X-flare timing; on 03 Nov ~11:00, several partial-halos with speeds up to ~1000 km/s.  

    • Solar wind at L1 (DSCOVR): Real-time data showed enhanced conditions during 06 Nov, with speeds around the mid-400 km/s range and southward Bz intervals near −6 nT around ~20:00, sufficient to sustain storming.  

    • Geomagnetic response: Max Kp = 7 (G3) on 06 Nov; Dst min = −125 nT at 07:00 on 06 Nov—a robust storm. Auroras widely reported at high latitudes during G-level intervals. (NOAA scale reference for G/R/S).  

    • Active regions & sunspots: Region 4274 (βγδ) dominated, with 4276 producing the 06 Nov M1.1. Daily estimated sunspot number (EISN) rose to 114 on 06 Nov.  

    • F10.7 cm radio flux: 147 sfu (WWV, 05 Nov); ~159 sfu adjusted at Penticton on 06 Nov. Weekly range ~147–159 sfu.


    Conclusion

    The events of Solar Week 45 (2025) underline the Sun’s growing intensity as Solar Cycle 25 remains near its peak. The strong G3 storm on 06 November delivered one of the brightest auroral displays of the season and highlighted the importance of continuous monitoring by the space-weather community.

  • Long-duration M2.7 and halo CME: a mostly quiet week through 30 Aug 2025

    From 24 to 30 August the Sun stayed relatively calm, with low geomagnetic activity. The exception came on 30 Aug 2025 (20:02 UTC), when active region AR 4199 produced a long-duration M2.7 flare and a halo CME directed toward Earth. Official models point to possible disturbances in early September.

    Extended technical summary

    Flares >M: M2.7 (peak 20:02 UTC, 30 Aug) from AR 4199; a few smaller M-class events appeared mid-week (GOES XRS).

    CMEs: The 30 Aug eruption launched a broad/halo CME seen in SOHO/LASCO C2/C3, with speeds near ~1,260–1,300 km/s and half-widths ~34°–53°; DONKI links it to the M2.7 (onset ~19:11–20:09 UTC).

    Solar wind at L1 (DSCOVR): Background week without clear shocks; V ~350–420 km/s, Bz excursions of only a few nT (down to ~−6 nT), density ~3–10 cm⁻³—consistent with subdued geomagnetic conditions (RTSW 7-day).

    Geomagnetism: Max Kp = 3+ (unsettled) on 25 Aug; G1 not reached. Min Dst ≈ −9 nT at 06:00 UTC, 26 Aug(quiet). Auroras confined to high latitudes.

    Active regions & sunspots: AR 4199 was the standout and grew into the weekend. The International Sunspot Number stayed high (SILSO), with daily values around 190 ± 30.

    Radio flux F10.7 (DRAO Penticton): Weekly mean ≈ 222 sfu (24–30 Aug), with a high daily value on 30 Aug(adjusted ~322.5 sfu at 20 UTC), typical after an LDE.

    What’s next: SWPC keeps a G2–G3 watch for 01–02 Sep 2025 due to the 30 Aug CME; brief R1–R2 radio blackouts and moderate–strong geomagnetic intervals are possible depending on the CME’s evolution (see the 3-Day Forecast).

  • G2 Storm and an M1: Active Week with Auroras and August 5, 2025 CME

    Over the past seven days, the Sun delivered a geomagnetic “spike”: a moderate storm (G2) on August 9, resulting from the arrival of a coronal mass ejection (CME) launched on the 5th combined with a high-speed stream from a coronal hole. There was at least one noteworthy flare (M1.7) on August 10. Auroras extended into high latitudes during the afternoon and night of the 9th.

    Extended Technical Summary

    X-ray activity (GOES) recorded an M1.7 flare at 03:12 UTC on Aug 10 (1–8 Å band), reported by SWPC in its event listings. In SOHO/LASCO coronagraphs, the August 5 CME was observed which, according to SWPC, contributed to the geomagnetic episode of Aug 8–9; operational modeling (WSA-ENLIL) pointed to an impact around those dates.

    In the interplanetary environment (L1), SWPC solar wind plots show the combined increase in speed and field strength that preceded the geomagnetic deterioration on the 9th (with a southward Bz component for several hours). The planetary Kp index reached G2 level (Kp≈6) at 15:48 UTC on Aug 9, and the week’s minimum Dst was −71 nT around 11 UTC on Aug 9, consistent with a moderate storm phase.

    Sunspot activity remained high: the estimated international sunspot number (EISN, SILSO) rose from ~120 (Aug 5) to ~195 (Aug 8). The F10.7 cm radio flux (DRAO/Penticton) stayed elevated for the current cycle. SDO (AIA/HMI) showed several complex active regions during the week, responsible for the flare activity and the cited CME.

  • Powerful Solar Flare Erupts on May 14, 2025, Causing Brief Radio Blackouts Across Parts of the World

    On May 14, 2025, the Sun unleashed its most powerful solar flare of the year so far—an intense X2.7-class eruption—causing brief but noticeable disruptions in radio communications across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The flare originated from the highly active sunspot region AR3664, which has been closely monitored due to its rapid development and potential for strong solar activity.

    This X2.7-class solar flare ranks among the strongest in the current solar cycle. Solar flares are categorized by intensity using a letter scale: A, B, C, M, and X, with each letter representing a tenfold increase in energy output. An X-class flare is the most energetic, and this particular one, though on the lower end of the X-class scale, still had a notable impact on Earth’s ionosphere.

    Importantly, the flare was not directed at Earth in terms of a coronal mass ejection (CME), meaning that no significant geomagnetic storm or long-lasting radiation impact was expected. However, during the eruption itself, the intense release of X-rays did interact with Earth’s upper atmosphere, causing a shortwave radio blackout classified as R3 (strong) on NOAA’s radio blackout scale. These blackouts are caused by X-rays rapidly ionizing the Earth’s dayside ionosphere, especially affecting the 3 to 30 MHz high-frequency radio bands used by aircraft, ships, and ham radio operators.

    The resulting communication disruption lasted several minutes and was primarily felt in regions facing the Sun at the time, particularly across large portions of the Eastern Hemisphere. Pilots, maritime operators, and military communications personnel in those regions may have experienced signal loss or degradation.

    NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) captured dramatic images and ultraviolet footage of the eruption, highlighting the extreme energy release from the Sun’s surface. Scientists continue to observe AR3664 for further activity, though current assessments indicate no immediate threat from follow-up flares or CMEs associated with this event.

    This solar flare occurred during what is expected to be the peak of Solar Cycle 25, forecast to reach maximum activity between late 2024 and early 2026. During solar maximum, the frequency and intensity of sunspots, flares, and coronal mass ejections increase significantly. Space weather experts warn that while this flare did not pose a major threat, it serves as a reminder of the Sun’s potential to impact Earth’s technological infrastructure—especially communication and navigation systems.

    With the increasing reliance on satellite-based systems and high-frequency radio communications, even short-term solar events like this underscore the importance of space weather forecasting and rapid-response protocols. Agencies such as NOAA and ESA continue to work closely with international partners to monitor solar activity and provide real-time alerts to industries and governments potentially affected by solar phenomena.

    As of now, no CME has been confirmed in association with the May 14 flare, and no further radio blackouts are anticipated. However, with sunspot AR3664 still active and facing Earth, more flares could follow in the coming days.

  • Powerful X2.0-Class Solar Flare Shakes the Earth

    On February 23, 2025, the Sun emitted a powerful X2.0-class solar flare, considered the most intense recorded so far this year. This event, which has captured the attention of astronomers and scientists, highlights the increasing solar activity in the current solar cycle, which reached its peak at the end of 2024.

    Solar flares are classified into five main categories: A, B, C, M, and X, with the latter being the most powerful. Within the X-class, each number indicates even greater intensity. The recent X2.0 flare generated intense electromagnetic radiation that temporarily affected radio communications and navigation systems in certain regions of the planet.

    The phenomenon originated in the active region AR 4001, located on the northwestern edge of the Sun at the time of the eruption. Despite the intensity of the event, experts consider the impact on Earth to have been moderate due to the position of the active region, which reduced the likelihood of an associated coronal mass ejection (CME) directly hitting our planet. Additionally, the solar plasma ejected into space was not directed toward Earth, significantly reducing potential geomagnetic effects on our environment. Due to this, the Solar Alert app did not issue any warnings, as there was no imminent threat to Earth.

    However, solar activity remains at elevated levels, and space agencies such as NASA and NOAA continue to closely monitor the Sun’s behavior. Geomagnetic storms resulting from flares like this can produce spectacular auroras but may also affect technological infrastructures such as power grids and satellites.

    This event serves as a reminder of the importance of studying the Sun and its influence on our environment. The scientific community continues to analyze these phenomena to predict their effects and mitigate potential adverse impacts on our technology and communications.

  • Understanding Miyake Events: The Solar Superstorms That Could Disrupt Modern Civilization

    The article discusses “Miyake Events,” which are massive solar superstorms that have occurred approximately once every thousand years. These events are identified through spikes in carbon-14 levels found in tree rings, indicating a sudden influx of high-energy particles from the Sun. The most recent Miyake Event occurred around 774 CE. If a similar event were to happen today, it could have catastrophic effects on modern technology, potentially disrupting power grids, communication systems, and satellites. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding these events to better prepare for future occurrences.

    Source: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240815-miyake-events-the-giant-solar-superstorms-that-could-rock-earth

  • Understanding the Impact of Solar Storms on GPS Systems

    Solar storms, particularly geomagnetic disturbances caused by solar flares and coronal mass ejections, can significantly impact Global Positioning System (GPS) functionality. These disturbances alter the Earth’s ionosphere, leading to signal delays and inaccuracies in GPS positioning. During severe solar events, GPS errors can increase from typical accuracies of a meter to tens of meters or more, affecting navigation systems across various sectors, including aviation, maritime, and agriculture. For instance, in May 2024, heightened solar activity led to GPS outages that disrupted the operations of high-tech tractors reliant on precise positioning for planting. 

    To mitigate these effects, dual-frequency GPS systems are employed to better characterize and compensate for ionospheric disturbances, enhancing accuracy even during solar events. Additionally, advancements in space weather forecasting aim to provide timely warnings, allowing industries dependent on GPS technology to take precautionary measures during periods of intense solar activity. 

    Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/threat-solar-storms-understanding-impact-gps-systems-kalea-texeira-hasqc

  • Strategies for Protecting Critical Electronic Systems from Electromagnetic Pulse Threats

    Electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) pose significant threats to critical electronic systems, with the potential to disrupt or damage infrastructure such as power grids, communication networks, and transportation systems. To mitigate these risks, several strategies can be implemented:

    1. Shielding: Enclosing sensitive electronics within conductive materials, such as Faraday cages, can block or attenuate EMP signals, preventing them from inducing harmful currents.

    2. Surge Protection: Installing surge protectors and EMP-hardened components can help absorb and dissipate the energy from an EMP, safeguarding connected devices.

    3. Redundancy and Backup Systems: Establishing redundant systems and maintaining backup components can ensure continuity of operations if primary systems are compromised.

    4. Operational Procedures: Developing and regularly updating operational protocols to respond to EMP events can enhance resilience and recovery times.

    Implementing these measures requires a comprehensive understanding of EMP effects and a commitment to investing in protective technologies and infrastructure. By adopting a proactive approach, organizations can enhance the resilience of critical electronic systems against the potentially devastating impacts of electromagnetic pulses.

    Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/safeguarding-critical-electronic-systems-from-emp-strategies-xyokc?trk=public_post

  • Preparing for Solar Maximum: Safeguarding Technology Against Increased Solar Activity

    As we approach 2024, the Sun is entering a more active phase of its 11-year solar cycle, known as the Solar Maximum. This period is characterized by increased solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which can lead to geomagnetic storms impacting Earth’s technological infrastructure. Potential effects include disruptions to GPS navigation, telecommunications, weather forecasting, and power grids. To mitigate these risks, it’s essential to enhance satellite resilience, protect power grids, and maintain regular data backups.

    Source: https://yourstory.com/2024/02/gear-solar-storms-get-violent