Large sunspot group harbors energy for M-class solar flares

Large sunspot group harbors energy for M-class solar flares

A large sunspot group is rotating over the sun’s northeastern limb, possibly signaling an uptick in solar activity. Measuring some 40,000 km wide and at least twice that in length, the behemoth active region is an easy target for backyard solar

Minor geomagnetic storming underway

Minor geomagnetic storming underway

Minor geomagnetic storming (G1 on the Geomagnetic Storm Scale) is underway following the arrival at Earth of 1 or more Coronal Mass Ejections that erupted from the Sun late last week and into the weekend.  Activity is not expected to strengthen much beyond current

Earth-directed coronal mass ejection expected

Earth-directed coronal mass ejection expected

A coronal mass ejection (CME) is heading toward Earth and it could deliver a glancing blow to our planet’s magnetic field on Sept. 22th around 23:00 UT. There are no large coronal holes on the Earth-facing side of the sun. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for

Geomagnetic storm in progress

Geomagnetic storm in progress

As predicted by analysts at the Goddard Space Weather Lab, a coronal mass ejection (CME) hit Earth's magnetic field at ~03:30 UT on Sept 17th. The impact sparked a moderate geomagnetic storm (in progress) and auroras around the Arctic Circle. High-latitude sky watch

Incoming coronal mass ejection

Incoming coronal mass ejection

As predicted by analysts at the Goddard Space Weather Lab, a coronal mass ejection (CME) hit Earth’s magnetic field at ~03:30 UT on Sept 17th. The impact was not strong. Nevertheless, the arrival of the CME could spark geomagnetic activity around the Arctic Circle.

Geomagnetic storm continues

Geomagnetic storm continues

New sunspot AR1295 is emerging over the sun’s northeastern limb and crackling with solar flares. The strongest so far, a C9.9-category blast, did something remarkable. Click on the arrow to watch an extreme ultraviolet movie from NASA’s Solar Dynamics

Behemoth sunspot 1263 has almost doubled in size

Behemoth sunspot 1263 has almost doubled in size

Behemoth sunspot 1263 has almost doubled in size this weekend. A 28-hour movie from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory shows the spot developing a tail that has added some 50,000 km of length to the active region.This development may increase the likelihood of a stro