The sun is putting on a dazzling display this week. Early today, an X4.2 solar flare erupted, causing brief radio disruptions in parts of western Africa and southern Europe. This flare peaked at 7:13 a.m. EST and came from a rapidly changing sunspot group known as AR4366. This group has been sending out a steady stream of significant solar flares since it appeared just a few days ago.
X-class flares are the most intense type of solar flare. They can disrupt radio signals widely and may sometimes release coronal mass ejections (CMEs)—huge bursts of solar plasma. These can lead to geomagnetic storms and beautiful auroras if they hit Earth. However, after this recent flare, no notable CME was detected, according to the NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center.
Despite multiple powerful flares from sunspot AR4366, many have not launched significant amounts of material into space. Only a previous X8.4 flare led to a slow CME, which barely grazed Earth. That could still have mild effects, with forecasters predicting possible minor geomagnetic storms later today or tomorrow.
If you’re keen to witness this spectacle, AR4633 is massive—about 15 Earths wide! It’s large enough to be viewed safely with solar eclipse glasses. Astrophotographer Mark Johnston captured an incredible view of AR4633 in Arizona. He described the image, saying, “My telescope was set up looking across an alpine lake, and that helped provide a clear view.”
Social media users have been buzzing about the recent flares. Many posted stunning images of the sunspot, expressing awe at this natural phenomenon. Researchers continue to monitor the sunspot closely, wondering if it will unleash more powerful events in the days to come.
As we look back, solar activity tends to follow an 11-year cycle, with periods of high activity known as solar maxima. We are currently near one of these peaks, making these dramatic flares more likely. Expect more solar fireworks as AR4366 remains active and Earth continues to feel the effects!
