Wow, the sun is certainly putting on quite a show this week.
Our star just unleashed three powerful solar flares in less than 24 hours and potentially sending multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) hurtling toward Earth, raising the chances of northern lights displays this week.
The culprit behind all three eruptions from the sun is Earth-facing sunspot region 4455. The unstable region produced an M9.3 solar flare that peaked at 9:36 p.m. EDT June 2 (0136 a.m. GMT on June 3), followed by an M7.9 flare at 3:00 a.m. EDT (0700 GMT) and an X1 at 7:28 a.m. EDT (1128 GMT) — the most powerful category of solar flare.
Image 1 of 3
Moderate R2 radio blackouts associated with the M9.3 solar flare.(Image credit: NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center.)
Moderate R2 radio blackouts associated with the M7.9 solar flare.(Image credit: NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center.)
Strong R3 radio blackouts associated with the X-class solar flare.(Image credit: NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center.)The trio of eruptions triggered radio blackouts across Earth. The M9.3 flare triggered a moderate R2 radio blackout across parts of East Asia and Australia, while the M7.9 eruption caused another R2 blackout affecting portions of Europe and Africa. The strongest blackout came with the X1 flare, which generated an R3 radio blackout across parts of Europe and Asia.
"Region 4455 strikes again!" space weather physicist Tamitha Skov wrote in a post on X following the M9.3 eruption. "Region 4455 continues to grow in complexity, so X-flare risk will remain elevated over the next 72 hours at least."
Skov's warning didn't take long to materialize. Less than 10 hours later, the restless sunspot crossed the threshold into X-class territory.
With multiple eruptions now under analysis, the chances of geomagnetic storm activity later this week are on the rise.
M7.9 solar flare erupting from the sun on June 3. (Image credit: NASA / SDO and the AIA, EVE, and HMI science teams / helioviewer.org)
Aurora chaser Vincent Ledvina reported that "three potentially Earth-directed CMEs are currently on the way," though space weather forecasters are still working to determine the exact trajectories and speeds of the solar storms.
The U.K. Met Office has confirmed the M9.3 flare was accompanied by a faint but fast Earth-directed CME, which is expected to arrive at Earth on June 4. The agency is also analyzing a second potential Earth-directed CME associated with the M7.9 flare, while the trajectory of any eruption linked ot the X1 flare remains under investigation.
With at least one solar storm heading our way, the Met Office has issued a strong (G3) geomagnetic storm watch for June 4-6. Forecasters say geomagnetic activity could reach G1-G3 storm levels, with a slight chance of isolated severe (G4) conditions if the incoming CMEs deliver a stronger-than-expected impact.
This is potentially good news for skywatchers. Geomagnetic storms can supercharge Earth's auroras, pushing them farther into mid-latitudes than usual. If the forecast holds, northern lights could become visible at lower latitudes beginning on Thursday evening.
As scientists continue analyzing the evolving CME situation, all eyes remain on region 4455, which still has the potential to unleash further strong solar flares in the coming days. Watch this space!
View MoreYou must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
Logout
Daisy DobrijevicSkywatching EditorDaisy Dobrijevic joined Space.com in February 2022, having previously worked as a staff writer for All About Space magazine. She completed an editorial internship with BBC Sky at Night Magazine and worked at the National Space Centre, communicating space science to the public.
Daisy holds a PhD in plant physiology and a Master's in Environmental Science. Based in Nottingham, U.K., she covers all things space, with a special focus on solar activity and space weather. She also has a keen interest in astrotourism and is always on the lookout for the next northern lights adventure.
She will be a guest speaker aboard HX's Solar Eclipse Expedition in August 2026 and will join Hurtigruten as an onboard astronomer for a northern lights sailing in January 2027.
