Solar Activity

  • This image from June 20, 2013, at 11:15 p.m. EDT shows the bright light of a solar flare on the left side of the sun and an eruption of solar material shooting through the sun’s atmosphere, called a prominence eruption.

    Sun Emits a Solstice CME

    06.20.13 - On June 20, 2013, at 11:24 p.m., the sun erupted with an Earth-directed coronal mass ejection, a solar phenomenon that can send billions of tons of particles into space that can reach Earth 1-3 days later.

  • M5.9 class flare appears on the lower right of the sun on June 7, 2013.

    The Sun Emits an M5.9 Solar Flare

    06.08.13 - The Solar Dynamics Observatory captures the sun emitting a M5.9 class, a mid-level solar flare, peaking at 6:49pm on June 7, 2013.

  • NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare on the right side of the sun on May 22, 2013.

    NASA's SDO Observes Mid-level Solar Flare

    05.22.13 - The sun emitted a mid-level solar flare, an M7 class, on the morning of May 22, 2013.

  • A combined view from two NASA satellites of the coronal mass ejection that occurred on May 17, 2013, at 5:36 EDT.

    NASA’s STEREO Detects a CME From the Sun

    05.17.13 - On 5:24 a.m. EDT on May 17, 2013, the sun erupted with an Earth-directed coronal mass ejection or CME, a solar phenomenon that can send billions of tons of solar particles into space.

  • SDO image of a solar flare on 3 May 2013

    Sun Emits Mid-Level Flare

    05.03.13 - The sun emitted a mid-level solar flare on May 3. Large enough flares can disrupt radio signals, but this flare's "blackout" has already subsided.

  • Aurora as seen in Keller, Washington on April 14, 2013.

    Spring Fling: Sun Emits a Mid-Level Flare

    04.16.13 - The CME impact on April 13 was weak but it still produced high latitude aurora. The sun emitted a mid-level flare, peaking at 3:16 a.m. EDT on April 11, 2013 accompanied by an Earth-directed CME.

  • Active Region 1678 has grown quickly over a 2 day period, Feb. 19-20, 2013.

    SDO Observes Fast-Growing Sunspot

    02.20.13 - Over the course of Feb. 19-20, 2013, scientist watched a giant sunspot form in under 48 hours.

  • The second of two CMEs from the evening of Feb. 5, 2013, can be seen bursting away from the sun in the upper left hand side of this image, which was captured SOHO at 11:12pm EST.

    The Sun Produces Two CMEs

    02.07.13 - In the evening of Feb. 5, 2013, the sun erupted with two coronal mass ejections or CMEs that may glance near-Earth space.

  • This triptych shows a coronal mass ejection or CME as it burst off of the sun in the morning of Jan. 13, 2013.

    New Sunspots Producing Space Weather

    01.14.13 - On Jan. 13, 2013, at 2:24 a.m. EST, the sun erupted with an Earth-directed coronal mass ejection or CME. The CME left the sun at speeds of 330 miles per second and is expected to impact Earth around Jan. 16.

  • The Sun erupted with two prominence eruptions, one after the other over a four-hour period (Nov. 16, 2012).

    Double Trouble

    11.16.12 - The Sun erupted with two prominence eruptions, one after the other over a four-hour period on Nov. 16, 2012, between the hours of 1 and 5 a.m. EST.

  • The sun emitted an M6 solar flare on Nov. 13, 2012.

    Sun Emits a Mid-level Flare

    11.13.12 - On Nov. 12, 2012, the sun emitted a mid-level solar flare, an M6-class, peaking at 9:04 p.m. EST.

  • solar flare on Oct. 22, 2012 as captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) in the 131 Angstrom wavelength

    Active Region on the Sun Emits Another Flare

    10.23.12 - The sun emitted a significant solar flare on Oct. 22, 2012, peaking at 11:17 p.m. EDT.

  • SDO's view of M5-class solar flare on Oct. 22, 2012

    Newly Named Sunspot AR1598 Releases M5 Class Solar Flare.

    10.22.12 - Newly named sunspot AR1598 has release an M5 class solar flare. This is the same region that released an M9 flare on Oct. 20, 2012.

  • The sun emitted a significant solar flare, peaking at 2:14 p.m. EDT on Oct. 20, 2012.

    A New Set of Solar Fireworks

    10.20.12 - The sun emitted a significant solar flare, an M9, peaking at 2:14 p.m. EDT on Oct. 20, 2012. The associated radio blackout, an R2, has subsided, reports NOAA.

  • Close-up of filament eruption.

    SDO Sees Massive Filament Eruption

    09.04.12 - On September 1, 2012, a long, whip-like filament erupted on the sun. The eruption, called a coronal mass ejection, caused aurora near Earth on September 3.

  • SDO recorded this view of an M5.6 class solar flare at 9:01pm EDT on August 17, 2012.

    Emerging Sunspot Releases Mid-level Solar Flare

    08.18.12 - An active region, just beginning to rotate into view, released an M5.6 class solar flare last night at 9:01pm EDT.

  • Image of a very long, whip-like solar filament extending over half a million miles in a long arc above the sun’s surface.

    One Half Million Mile Solar Filament

    08.10.12 - SDO sees a very long, whip-like solar filament extending over half a million miles in a long arc above the sun’s surface. Part of the filament seems to break away, but its basic length and shape seem to have remained mostly intact.

  • SDO captured this image of the M6.2 class solar flare on July 28, 2012.

    New Sunspot 1532 Emits M6.2 Solar Flare

    On July 28, 2012, the sun emitted a mid-level flare, categorized as an M6.2 flare. The flare is visible here in the lower left-hand side, coming from an active region on the sun named AR 1532. This im...

  • SDO captured this image of the M6.2 class solar flare on July 28, 2012.

    Sun Emits a Medium-Intensity Solar Flare

    07.30.12 - The sun emitted a mid-level flare, peaking at 4:55 PM EDT on July 28, 2012. This flare is classified as a M6.2 flare. M-class flares are the weakest flares that can still cause some space weather effects near Earth.

  • Image captured by SDO on July 19, 2012 of M7.7 class solar flare.

    Sun Sends Out Mid-Level Solar Flare

    07.19.12 - The sun emitted a mid-level solar flare (M7.7) on July 19, 2012, beginning at 1:13 AM EDT and peaking at 1:58 AM.

  • Photo of the planetary Conjunction and auroras as seen from Albany, Missouri.

    CME Arrival Results in Aurora Show

    07.15.12 - The arrival of the CME associated with the July 12, 2012 X1.4 class flare, resulted in a geomagnetic storm that caused aurora to appear in lower latitudes than usual.

  • SDO captures M6.9 solar flare on July 7, 2012.

    Active Region 1515 Releases M6.9 Class Flare

    07.09.12 - As it turns away from Earth, AR1515 releases an M6.9 class solar flare.

  • Close-up of AR1515's X1.1 class solar flare

    Sun Releases X1.1 Class Flare

    07.07.12 - Anticipated for the past week, the sun finally releases an X1.1 class solar flare late on July 6.

  • Active Region 1515 unleased an M6.1 class solar flare at 7:38am EDT.

    Another M-class Flare from Sunspot 1515

    07.05.12 - Today's M6.1 solar flare, originating from behemoth sunspot AR1515, is the twelfth M-class flare from that region in the last 3 days.

  • Four view of the sun's M5.3 flare on July 4, 2012 at different temperatures.

    Independence Day Fireworks

    07.04.12 - Even the sun joins in America's Fourth of July celebration, with an M5.3 solar flare.

  • SDO captures M5.6 class solar flare early on July 2, 2012.

    Solar Fireworks on July 2

    07.03.12 - On July 2, 2012, an M5.6 class solar flare erupted from the sun, peaking at 6:52 AM EDT.

  • Weekend aurora as seen in Badlands, South Dakota.

    UPDATE: Two CMEs Hit Earth’s Magnetosphere

    06.18.12 - Two CMEs from AR 1504 on June 13-14, delivered a combined blow over the weekend and sparked bright aurora, with some appearing at lower latitudes than usual.

  • The sun erupted with a coronal mass ejection traveling at over 900 miles per second.

    More Eruptions from Active Region 1476

    05.17.12 - The sun erupted with an M-class flare that peaked at 9:47 PM EDT on May 17, 2012. A CME also burst from the sun at 9:48 PM EDT, traveling at over 930 miles per second.

  • Image of solar prominence eruption associated with M1.7 class solar flare.

    Giant Prominence Erupts

    04.16.12 - On April 16, 2012 a giant prominence erupted from the left/east side of the sun in association with an M1.7 class solar flare.

  • solar flare seen by SDO

    Big Sunspot Remains Active

    03.13.12 - On March 13, 2012, the sun erupted with an M7.9-class flare from the same region that has been producing flares and coronal mass ejections all week.

  • This bright area is sunspot region 1429 which has released M and X class flares all week.

    Moderate Geomagnetic Storm at Earth

    03.12.12 - Geomagnetic storms at Earth are currently at a rating of G2 (moderate) on a scale of G1 to G5.

  • This image is from the March 6, 2012 X5.4 flare, captured by the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) in the 171 Angstrom wavelength.

    Second Biggest Flare Of the Solar Cycle

    03.07.12 - The sun erupted with one of the largest solar flares of this solar cycle on March 6, 2012 at 7PM EST, an X5.4.

  • Screen capture of X1 class flare eruption on March 5, 2012.

    Active Region on the Sun Spits Out Three Flares

    03.05.12 - On March 2, 2012 a new active region on the sun, region 1429, rotated into view. Since arriving, it has let loose two M-class flares on March 2 and 4 and one X1 class flare this morning.

  • Finland aurora resulting from CME impact on Feb. 26, 2012.

    Beautiful Aurora Result From Active Solar Weekend

    02.27.12 - The weak CME on February 26, 2012 did produce some amazing aurora for high latitude observers.

  • A CME explodes from the sun on Jan. 27, 2012.

    X1.8 Solar Flare and CME - 01.27.12

    01.27.12 - Sunspot 1402 fires a parting shot as it rotates around the edge of the sun -- an X1.8 class solar flare and CME.

  • Still from video of earth directed CME.

    01.23.12: M8.7 Solar Flare and Earth Directed CME-UPDATED

    01.25.12 - The sun erupted late on January 22, 2012 with an M8.7 class flare, an earth-directed coronal mass ejection (CME).

  • Still from video of Jan 19, 2012 long duration solar flare and coronal mass ejection

    01.19.2012-Long Duration M3.2 Class Solar Flare and CME

    01.19.12 - After a two month respite from Earth-directed solar events, the Sun sends an M3.2 class flare and CME our way.

  • Close-up of solar flare from November 3, 2011 as captured by SDO.

    A 360 Degree View of an X-class Flare and A CME

    11.04.11 - The sun sent out two different kinds of solar activity on November 3, 2011 in different directions: an X.19 solar flare and a particularly bright CME.

  • Close-up of sunspot 1302 as it blasts out an X1.9 class solar flare.

    Geomagnetic Storm Subsiding

    09.27.11 - The severe geomagnetic storm that began yesterday when a CME hit Earth's magnetic field is subsiding.

  • An X1.4 class flare erupted from the sun, peaking at 7:01 AM ET on September 22, 2011.

    A Solar Flare and a CME

    09.22.11 - Our increasingly active Sun produced a large CME yesterday evening and an X1.4 class flare this morning. This increased solar activity is a normal byproduct as the sun approaches solar max.

  • A third flare erupted from sunspot 1283 on September 7 at 6:36 PM ET

    Sunspot 1283 Is Bristling With Flares-UPDATED

    09.08.11 - The first of what will likely be several CME hits occurred this morning sparking a strong geomagnetic storm. Additional hits will occur over the weekend.

  • Sunspot 1283 erupted with another flare on 09.06.11 that peaked at 6:20 PM ET.

    X2.1 Solar Flare and CME

    09.07.11 - Sunspot 1283 erupted with another flare yesterday that peaked at 6:20 PM ET. This was an X2.1 class flare, some four times stronger than the earlier flare.

  • The flare is seen here near the center of this image from SDO in 171 angstrom.

    M5.3 Solar Flare Eruption-CME

    09.06.11 - At 9:35 PM ET on Labor Day, the sun emitted an Earth-directed M5.3 class flare as measured by the GOES satellite.

  • 131 angstrom X7 class flare on August 9, 2011.

    Sun Unleashes X6.9 Class Flare

    08.09.11 - On Aug. 9, 2011, the sun unleashed an X6.9 class flare. Though not Earth directed, we may experience radio and communications blackouts.

  • Following an M9.3 solar flare, sunspot 1261 release a Earth-directed coronal mass ejection.

    Sun Packs a Double Punch-UPDATED

    08.08.11 - The August 5, 2011 arrival of the combined August 3 CMEs caused many photographers in the northern U.S. and Europe to race outside with their cameras to record the colorful skies. They were not disappointed.

  • SDO 193 angstrom image of July 30, 2011 M9.3-class solar flare.

    Friday Night M9.3 Light

    08.01.11 - Active solar region 1261 let loose with a short-lived M9.3 flare on Friday Night. No Earth directed affects are expected.

  • Closeup of the sunspot behind the June 7, 2011 solar blast, as plasma from the blast rains back down.

    Dark Fireworks on the Sun

    07.11.11 - NASA has just released new high-resolution videos of the solar event recorded by SDO on June 7, 2011.

  • SOHO coronographic image of sun grazing comet seen on July 5 and 6, 2011.

    Sungrazer Comet In Front of the Sun

    07.07.11 - For the first time ever, SDO has captured a movie of a comet streaking directly in front of the sun.

  • Screen capture from Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) video of CME event.

    Solstice Flare and CME - UPDATE

    06.24.11 - NOAA forecasters declare a 30-35% chance of geomagnetic storms during the next 24 hours due to a fast-moving stream of solar wind, combined with the CME expected to arrive on June 24, 2011.

  • SDO image of coronal mass ejection on 06.07.2011 taken in 304 Angstrom.

    Having a Solar Blast - UPDATE

    06.10.11 - Earth is still waiting for the arrival of the CME unleashed June 7, 2011 but the forecasts of the glancing blow have been substantially reduced. The Sun unleashed an M-2 solar flare, an S-1 radiation storm and a spectacular coronal mass ejection in the early hours of June 7, 2011.

  • A rather large M 3.6 class flare occurred near the edge of the Sun on Feb. 24, 2011, it blew out a gorgeous, waving mass of erupting plasma

    Monster Prominence Erupts from the Sun

    02.24.11 - A rather large M 3.6 class flare occurred near the edge of the Sun on Feb. 24, 2011, it blew out a gorgeous, waving mass of erupting plasma.

  • Still of 02/14/2011 X2 flare superimposed on a C2 Coronagraph.

    Valentine’s Day Solar Flare - Update

    02.17.11 - More solar media from Monday's X-class flare

  • Sunspot 1158 unleashed the strongest solar flare of the year

    Earth-Directed Solar Flare

    02.13.11 - Sunspot 1158 unleashed the strongest solar flare of the year so far.

  • A filament on the left side of the sun became unstable and erupted, while an M-1 flare (mid-sized) and a Coronal Mass Ejection on the right blasted into space.

    SDO Catches a Double Play

    01.28.11 - NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) caught the action when the Sun popped off two events at once.

  • SDO image of the sun showing coronal hole

    Holes in the Sun's Corona

    01.11.11 - This SDO image from Jan. 10 shows a "coronal hole," an area of the sun's surface that sends magnetic field lines way out into space.

  • NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory took this picture of a magnetic filament around the sun's SE limb in the early hours of Dec 6, 2010.

    Filament Snake Erupts In Sun's South-East Limb

    12.06.10 - A magnetic filament that was snaking its way around the sun's SE limb has erupted.

  • Solar filament unleashed from C4-class solar flare.

    Sunspot 1123 Hurls Filament toward Earth

    11.12.10 - Active sunspot 1123 erupted during early on Nov. 12, producing a C4-class solar flare and hurling a filament of material in the general direction of Earth.

  • Active sunspot 1121 has unleashed one of the brightest x-ray solar flares in years

    Sunspot 1121 Unleashes X-ray Flare

    11.08.10 - On Saturday, Active Region 1112 unleashes an M class solar flare.

  • The Northern Hemisphere of the Sun is bristling with solar flares.

    Sun's Northern Hemisphere Bristling with Solar Flares

    10.26.10 - With a large active region currently in the northern hemisphere of the Sun, there has been a flurry of small solar flares over the past day.

  • On Saturday, October 16, NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this stunning image of one of the most intense, solar flares seen in the past few months.

    Sunspot 1112 Crackling with Solar Flares

    10.18.10 - Sunspot 1112 was very active this past weekend, sending out several solar flares as a vast filament traversed the Sun's southern hemisphere.

  • SDO captured this fantastic prominence associated with the Sept. 8 solar eruption of sunspot 1105.

    C3-class Solar Flare Erupts

    09.09.10 - Just as sunspot 1105 was turning away from Earth on Sept. 8, the active region erupted, producing a C3-class solar flare (peak @ 2330 UT) and a fantastic prominence.

  • Close-up of northwest region of the Sun shows a magnetic filament exploding off the surface.

    Labor Day Weekend Solar CME

    09.07.10 - NASA's SDO and SOHO spacecraft catches the Sun celebrating Labor Day Weekend with a coronal mass ejection on September 4.

  • Screen capture from video of solar activity on Aug. 14th. This image was taken by SDO's AIA at a wavelength of 211 Angstroms.

    First Solar Radiation Storm of Solar Cycle 24

    08.16.10 - Another CME that may graze Earth.

  • An M-class flare erupted in active sunspot region 1093, peaking at 1824

    M-Class Solar Flare Erupts

    08.09.10 - An M-class flare erupted in active sunspot region 1093, peaking at 1824 UTC on August 7, 2010.

  • SDO tri-color image of solar event on 08.01.10/

    Activity from Aug. 1 CME Subsides

    08.06.10 - Another great image from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) of the solar event on August 1. Increased aurora activity because of the Aug. 1 event has subsided.

  • As the arcing loops above an active region began to rotate into a nice profile view, Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) captured the dynamic, magnetic struggles taking place below (July 6-8, 2010).

    SDO Captures Sun's Arcing Active Region

    07.09.10 - As the arcing loops above an active region began to rotate into a nice profile view, SDO captured the dynamic, magnetic struggles taking place below (July 6-8, 2010).