The Sun sends us a wake-up call

The Sun sends us a wake-up call

Two powerful solar events erupted from the Sun over the past couple of days. While they both missed Earth, 'we are very lucky they did,' Ben Davidson of the Suspicious Observers said in the video. The solar maximum is building now, and Earth's magnetic…

Major farside solar activity – July 15 – 17, 2021

Major farside solar activity – July 15 – 17, 2021

Major solar activity is taking place on the 'farside' of the Sun with a number of large-scale coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from July 15 through 17. This should continue in the coming week. Video courtesy: SolarWatcher Featured image courtesy: STEREO-A…

Major X1.5 solar flare erupts — the first X-class flare of Solar Cycle 25

Major X1.5 solar flare erupts — the first X-class flare of Solar Cycle 25

A major solar flare measuring X1.5 at its peak erupted on the Sun's NW limb — most likely from the newly-formed Active Region 2838 — on July 3, 2021, producing R3 – Strong radio blackout. The event started at 14:18, peaked at 14:29, and ended at 14:34 UTC….

Moderately strong M2.7 solar flare erupts from Region 2838

Moderately strong M2.7 solar flare erupts from Region 2838

A moderately strong solar flare measuring M2.7 at its peak erupted from the newly-formed Active Region 2838 on July 3, 2021. The event started at 07:04 UTC, peaked at 07:17, and ended at 07:22. The position of this region does not favor Earth-directed coronal mass…

Modest CME glancing blow from May 28 long-duration solar flare

Modest CME glancing blow from May 28 long-duration solar flare

A small part of coronal mass ejection (CME) produced by a long-duration C-class solar flare on May 28 hit Earth on June 2, 2021, barely disturbing Earth's magnetic field. Solar wind parameters are likely to become slightly enhanced due to the influence of a…

Multiple Earth-directed CMEs produced over the weekend

Multiple Earth-directed CMEs produced over the weekend

Solar activity has increased from low to moderate levels on Saturday and Sunday, May 22 and 23, 2021, with a series of C- and M-class solar flares produced by Active Region 2824. Multiple CMEs were produced during this period, with several having Earth-directed…

Moderately strong M1.1 solar flare erupts from Region 2824

Moderately strong M1.1 solar flare erupts from Region 2824

A moderately strong solar flare measuring M1.1 at its peak erupted from Active Region 2824 (Alpha) at 17:11 UTC on May 22, 2021. The event started at 17:03 and ended at 17:16 UTC. Its location does not favor Earth-directed CMEs, but there is a possibility that a…

Geomagnetic storm watch in effect for May 18

Geomagnetic storm watch in effect for May 18

NOAA SWPC forecasters have issued a geomagnetic storm watch for May 18, 2021, after a pair of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) launched from the Sun on May 13 and 14. Enhanced solar wind parameters are expected on May 17 due to the influence of a negative polarity…

CME impacts Earth, sparking G3 – Strong geomagnetic storm

CME impacts Earth, sparking G3 – Strong geomagnetic storm

A coronal mass ejection (CME) produced by a filament eruption around 10:00 UTC on May 9, 2021, has reached Earth at 06:43 UTC on May 12. G3 – Moderate geomagnetic storm levels were observed at 12:59 UTC. The CME arrived at the DSCOVR spacecraft at 05:47 UTC. Solar…