Active Sun

Solar activity: Elevated risk/chance for M/X-class flares and CMEs from complex sunspot groups 4473 (3 subgroups) and 4472. Recent CMEs have been minor because the cluster is trapped between two coronal holes of opposite polarity with a lot of 'closed' magnetic field lines above (streamer belt).

Solar Synoptic Map A large trans-equatorial coronal hole could bring fast solar wind in a week, maybe linear increase of the solar wind's speed due to its shape (SWPC sees 3 C.H.s). A cluster of sunspot groups in the SE is producing M-class flares and small CMEs. Potential for more activity.

Active regions on the sun's far side seen from Solar Orbiter (magnetogram + continuum). Two of them have rotated into our view already.

A sunspot cluster form the far side is marching in. We could detect two M-class flares from two different regions already. We'll see whether it remains active.

Small M-class flare at the east limb possibly triggered a large and fast eruption on the sun's far side.

Images from the sun's far side: A large cluster of sunspot groups is approaching the eastern limb. It will be visible soon. We'll see how much potential for significant events it has. Image credits: Solar Orbiter EUI FSI 304, 174; PHI FDT Continuum, Magnetogram

The sun has calmed down with low sunspot number and low probability of stronger flares. Eruptive events are mainly filament lift-offs at the moment. The regions that are approaching the east limb appear to be in decay as well.

Two filament eruptions. The first produced a CME that could graze earth. The second one near the east limb shows gorgeous 'supra arcade downflows' a.k.a. SADpoles (image credits SDO AIA)

CME after long duration C-Class solar flare from region 4465 towards NE with classic 3-part structure, halo, ≈800 km/s, Type II and IV radio bursts, no energetic particles, could graze earth on Saturday, 2026-06-13. The core will probably miss us.

The CME is still 0.2-0.3 AU away – it will likely be a glancing blow rather than a flank hit (the later the arrival the weaker the impact)

Filament eruption and M1.8 solar flare: CME with earth–directed components - mid-latitude aurora not ruled out – analysis, images, videos, model runs spacewx.org/cme-after-m1...

Long duration M1.86 solar flare with large filament eruption heading southeast↙︎. The solar storm (CME) could graze earth in 2-3 days. A microwave radio burst and a type II radio sweep were detected, estimated velocity 838 km/s. Possible release of energetic particles.

Some words, images and videos on the current events (earth-directed CMEs) spacewx.org/strong-flare...

Strong M7.6 solar flare erupted with a massive amount of plasma. The associated coronal mass ejection is deflected away from earth but very likely has earth-directed components.

☀️ 24 hours of magnetic flux emergence around active region 4455. Spots of opposite polarity are developing west⇢ of the main spot right into the adjacent coronal hole. As we would expect negative spots east⇠ of the large positive spot this region is called 'Anti-Hale'.

Strong M9.3 solar flare (R2 radio blackout) with strong microwave radio burst + type IV radio emission indicative of a decent CME (solar storm). A halo to the north is visible in coronagraphs, a front to southwest as well. We likely have a narrow but fast (≈ 1000 km/s) earth-directed CME here.

M3.3 flare from region 4455 near the centre of the solar disc with dimming and a coronal wave moving towards southeast↙︎, however, no clear evidence for a CME ('solar storm') in coronagraphs so far – simultaneously a large filament eruption behind the E limb with large CME

Solar Synoptic Map - moderate chance for isolated M-class flares from 4452 (anti-hale), 4446 and maybe 4455 - moderate chance for smaller CMEs (solar storms) - connection with negative polarity coronal holes persists, elevated solar wind speeds, ACTIVE to G1 MINOR geomagnetic storm levels possible

☀️ Sun's far side seen from Solar Orbiter with EUI FSI 171 + 304 Ångström + STIX solar flare plot 2026-05-16; 0000z - 2026-05-23; 2100z

Fast and wide CME ('solar storm') - from the sun's far side. >= 100 MeV energetic protons were released (radiation storm). Type II and likely type IV radio emissions detected. credits: SDO AIA 171, 193, 211; COSMO KCor; SOHO LASCO C2; JHelioviewer

Active sunspot regions in the southern hemisphere of the sun.

Large and fast CME from the sun's far side with Type II radio emissions and a coronal wave spreading to the earth-facing disc. The source is likely a large region behind the NE limb ↖︎. The CME ('solar storm') is showing a strong northward deflection. (SDO AIA 171,193,211; MLSO KCOR; eCallisto)

Large sunspot region approaching the visible solar disc

Large coronal loops + coronal rain associated with one (or more) large active region behind the eastern limb of the sun that is approaching the visible disc. It has produced major solar flares on the far side but no significant CME (solar storm) and shows signs of decay now.

One of the slowest CME (“solar storm”) releases I've seen – it's been going on for two days now and is still ongoing

Solar moray eel behind the eastern limb

Solar Synoptic Map - sunspot regions 4441 and 4443 are showing some growth - region 4439 more or less stable and simple - new regions near the eastern limb - more regions behind the eastern limb - coronal hole 58 could bring elevated solar wind speeds near earth in a week or so

Solar flare of magnitude M1.9 with microwave radio burst, Type IV burst (☞ solar storm with shockwave), large dimming and a coronal wave spreading in all directions. Earth-directed CME likely.

Aurora in northern Germany, 2026-05-15, 2140 UTC (cause: coronal hole high-speed stream)

Active regions 4436 and 4432. One is just arriving, the other is about to leave the visible solar disc.

Awesome halo CME (coronal mass ejection, 'solar storm', not directed towards the earth).

Region 4436: Strong M5.7 solar flare with erupting filament, a coronal wave spreading mainly towards the far side of the sun and strong microwave radio emissions. The CME (solar storm) is deflected away from the surrounding coronal hole (away from earth).

Sun: Growing region 4432 is preparing for the western limb stage.

Sun: New region 4436: A complex system of magnetic loops and plasma flows, however, quiet at the moment.

What is in the solar wind? What is behind the northeastern limb? What is happening on the visible solar disc? ☞ spacewx.org/space-weathe...

Aurora: Red rays on webcams in Estonia and northern Germany 2026-05-07 2125 UTC aurora.tuuletorn.ee

Beautiful eruption at the northeastern limb of the sun with a filament lifting off, an M2.6 solar flare and post-eruptive arcades with supra-arcade downflows (SADpoles)

A cluster of active regions behind the northeast limb of the sun is producing CMEs ('solar storms') - ex region 4419 is part of it - it produced two major X-class flares and several CMEs near and behind the western limb.

Solar Synoptic Map - low risk of major solar flares - relatively low sunspot dynamic (no significant flux emergence) - fast wind from coronal hole CH50+ will likely arrive 7 May (but its positive polarity is not very geoeffective in May)

Aurora: Red rays near Berlin, Germany

Pretty CME ('solar storm') from a filament eruption + plasma from the high corona near the east limb of the sun (not earth-directed)

Aurora oval currently south of 65°N over northern Europe - good chances to see red rays down to 50°N (or in the Alps) sesolstorm.kartverket.no/moreplots.xh...

The CME ('solar storm') from April 30 has likely arrived. Interplanetary magnetic field is favourably oriented southwards between -11nT and -8 nT. Aurora is currently visible on Russian webcams down to 54°N starvisor.net

Eruption of an active region filament near the west limb of the sun.

A large filament is currently attempting to break away from the Sun – if it does lift off successfully, this could lead to a CME (‘solar storm’) that might be directed towards Earth. We’ll see…

☀️ Choreographed double (triple) eruption ☀️

Estimated sunspot number: 159; 10 active regions on the visible disc – however, the sun has decided to remain quiet

Two slow CMEs were released from the vicinity of region 4228 in the southern centre of the visible solar disc. They may graze the earth around 5 May and possibly arrive together with the stream interaction region of the positively polarised coronal hole in the east〈

Aurora at higher mid-latitudes over Northern Europe (now)