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2d ago

Sunspot AR4087 Produces Year’s Strongest Solar Flare, Disrupting Communications Globally

The X2.7-class flare caused radio blackouts across five continents as experts warn of more activity with AR4087 rotating into an Earth-facing position.

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare — seen as the bright flash on the left – on May 14.
Image
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare – seen as the bright flash on the far right – on May 13, 2025.

Overview

  • The X2.7 solar flare erupted on May 14, 2025, from sunspot AR4087, marking the strongest solar flare of the year so far and the eighth X-class event of 2025.
  • Shortwave radio blackouts were reported across North America, South America, Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, primarily affecting the sunlit side of Earth.
  • The flare generated a coronal mass ejection (CME), but its trajectory is not Earth-directed, reducing the risk of geomagnetic storms.
  • AR4087 has produced multiple significant flares, including M5.3 and M7.74 events, as it rotates closer to directly facing Earth, increasing the potential for further disruptive solar activity.
  • Solar Cycle 25 remains in its peak phase, with heightened solar activity expected to continue, prompting ongoing monitoring by space weather agencies like NOAA and NASA.