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3mo ago

NASA Warns of Potential Solar Storms as Sunspot AR4087 Faces Earth

The Sun's most active region has already caused significant radio blackouts and may lead to further disruptions in the coming days.

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare — seen as the bright flash on the left – on May 14.
Image
Image
Pictured is a significant solar flare from March 29, 2014, when the sun was in an active period of its 11-year solar cycle.

Overview

  • An X2.7-class solar flare erupted from sunspot AR4087 on May 14, causing R3-level radio blackouts across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
  • NASA and NOAA warn of additional high-energy flares and possible geomagnetic storms as AR4087 rotates into direct alignment with Earth.
  • The solar maximum phase of the Sun's 11-year cycle is driving increased solar activity, making flares and disruptions more frequent.
  • While no Earth-directed coronal mass ejection (CME) has been confirmed, scientists are closely monitoring the situation for potential impacts.
  • The heightened solar activity increases the likelihood of auroras appearing at lower latitudes in the coming days.