National Solar Observatory

05/29/2026

🔎☀️ Close-up view of a solar active region observed in hydrogen H-alpha light (656.3 nm) with the Visible Broadband Imager from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope, operated by the NSF National Solar Observatory! The elongated dark features, known as fibrils, trace the Sun’s magnetic field lines. Their top-to-bottom orientation reveals how the magnetic field connects regions of opposite magnetic polarity across the solar atmosphere.

This image was created using scientific data processed for general audiences and is not intended for scientific analysis.
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05/27/2026

Solar Activity Report: May 18-24, 2026

Solar activity began the week at low levels, with the X‑ray flux holding in the B range except for a few low‑intensity C‑class flares. Activity dipped even further on 20 May, when the flux remained entirely below the B–C threshold. By mid‑day on 21 May, conditions shifted. Activity rose following three short‑duration, high‑intensity impulsive C‑class flares from Active Region 14436 as it approached the northwest limb: C5.6, C8.3, and C9.5. A more substantial increase occurred on 22 May, when an M2.3 flare erupted from just beyond the northwest limb, near the same active region, pushing activity into the moderate range. On 23 May, a series of low and medium intensity C‑class flares were recorded and the week concluded with low flaring activity. Most of the flaring during the last two days originated from newly emerged Active Region 14446 near the southeast limb. Multiple CMEs were observed in coronagraph imagery, but none were Earth‑directed.

Helioseismic maps of the far hemisphere reveal two strong active regions, forecast to return to Earth view on 27 and 31 May. A third region shows a detectable helioseismic signature, but its probability of appearance remains below our confidence threshold. If it continues to strengthen, it should reach the east limb on 29 May. The far‑side active region mentioned in last week’s report has now rotated onto the front side and has been assigned NOAA 14446.

Data by NSF-NOAA GONG, operated by NSF NSO.
Additional Credits: Jain/Oien/NSF/GONG/NSO/AURA with contributions by NOAA.

05/18/2026

Solar Activity Report: May 11-17, 2026

Solar activity during the reporting period remained mostly at low levels, rising to moderate levels at the end of the week when several low‑intensity M‑class flares were produced. The X‑ray flux generally stayed in the B range, with only a few low‑level C‑class flares until May 13. Activity then increased gradually, with medium‑ to high‑intensity C‑class flares, followed by four M‑class flares on May 16 and 17. The strongest events were two M1.9 flares on May 16. The remaining M‑class flares were an M1.3 on May 16 and an M1.7 on May 17. These events originated from active regions 14435 and 14436, with AR 14436 also producing a C9.7 flare on May 17. No Earth‑directed CMEs were detected during this period.

The latest helioseismic map of the Sun’s far side (second image) shows a large active region that has continued to strengthen since it first appeared. It is expected to rotate onto the East limb late on May 23. This substantial region has also been observed by ESA’s Solar Orbiter and NASA’s Perseverance rover, both of which currently have partial views of the Sun’s far hemisphere. Solar Orbiter has already detected a couple of X‑class flares and nearly a dozen M‑class flares over the past three days. If the region maintains its magnetic structure and continues to intensify, solar activity levels are likely to increase toward the end of the week.

Data by NSF-NOAA GONG, operated by NSF NSO.
Additional Credits: Jain/Oien/NSF/GONG/NSO/AURA with contributions by NOAA.

05/06/2026

Solar Activity Report: April 27-May 3, 2026

Solar activity during the reporting week remained generally low, with X‑ray flux staying within the low C‑class range aside from a few high‑C and low M‑class events. Activity briefly rose to moderate levels on the first two days: an M1.0 flare from active region 11425 on April 27, followed by three low M‑class flares and several high C‑class flares, including C8.1, C9.0, and C9.3, from the active region 11420 on April 28. Consequently, April 28 was the most active day of the week, and the strongest event was an M1.5 flare from active region 11420. This region also produced a C7.4 flare on May 1 and a C8.7 flare on May 2. No significant Earth‑directed CMEs were detected in coronagraph observations.

The latest helioseismic far‑side map suggests that a moderate to strong active region may rotate onto the north‑east limb around May 9.

Data by NSF-NOAA GONG, operated by NSF NSO.
Additional Credits: Jain/Oien/NSF/GONG/NSO/AURA with contributions by NOAA.

05/01/2026

As the National Science Foundation (NSF) flagship ground-based solar observatory—operating the NSF Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope and NSF-NOAA GONG—we provide the critical data the scientific and space weather forecasting communities need to predict solar storms. 🔭☀️

By turning "hidden" solar processes into actionable data, NSO helps safeguard our planet’s critical infrastructure.

Learn about space weather, why it's important, and our role in keeping an eye on our closest star in the story below! 🌍

Researchers keep an eye on more than just earthquakes and heatwaves to protect our planet; they also keep a close watch on space weather.

Space weather refers to changes in the space environment that can impact satellite communications, air travel, power grids and more. Like Earth's weather, space weather is constant, and while it cannot be halted, it can be predicted and prepared for.

The U.S. National Science Foundation's ongoing support helps to better understand the complex feedback loop between the sun and Earth's system, protecting critical infrastructure that supports the economy, public safety and national security.

https://www.nsf.gov/science-matters/space-weather-protecting-planet

📸: NSF/NSO/AURA

05/01/2026

🌞 What if the Sun’s explosive flares could tell us their secrets? Scientists at the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) National Solar Observatory have discovered that the intricate, glowing patterns—called flare ribbons—aren’t just beautiful… they’re clues.

🔍 The more complex these ribbons become, the more intense the solar flare, revealing how energy is released high above the Sun’s surface.

🌌 By tracking these patterns, researchers now have a new way to peek into hidden processes shaping solar storms.

🔥 The Sun isn’t just shining—it’s speaking, and we’re learning how to listen.

https://nso.edu/blog/reading-the-suns-fireworks-how-flare-ribbons-reveal-hidden-solar-explosions/

Discover how scientists use solar flare ribbons to reveal hidden explosions on the Sun. See how the Inouye Solar Telescope is decoding these solar fireworks.

04/27/2026

Solar Activity Report: April 20-26, 2026

Solar activity ranged from very low to high levels during the reporting period. Activity was very low at the start of the week, with X‑ray flux in the mid‑B range, before increasing to the upper B‑class level accompanied by frequent low‑ to mid‑C‑class flares.

By early April 23, activity rose sharply, producing four M‑class flares that day.

Activity intensified further on April 24 with two X‑class flares (X2.5 and X2.4) and two additional M‑class flares.

Conditions subsided on April 25, although the X‑ray flux remained in the C‑class range with a few M‑class events.

These flares were associated with CMEs, none of which had Earth‑directed components.

Data by NSF-NOAA GONG, operated by NSF NSO.
Additional Credits: Jain/Oien/NSF/GONG/NSO/AURA with contributions by NOAA.

04/27/2026

What we see of the Sun is only half the story ☀️

Like the Moon, one side of the Sun is always hidden from Earth's direct view. However, active regions and sunspots forming on this "far side" can eventually rotate toward us, unleashing solar flares that disrupt satellites, communications, and power grids.

For decades, scientists have used helioseismology, analyzing sound waves reverberating inside the Sun, to detect these hidden regions. Now, a team led by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) National Solar Observatory have developed a new, physics-based method to use these same sound waves to decode the magnetic structure of those unseen sunspots.

Why does this matter? By analyzing data from the NSF-NOAA Global Oscillation Network Group (NSF-NOAA GONG), operated by the NSO, researchers can turn basic acoustic detections into detailed magnetic maps of the invisible solar surface. This paves the way for a 360-degree view of our star and earlier, more accurate space weather forecasts.

Read the full press release and link to the study, published in Nature Scientific Report below.

https://nso.edu/press-release/nsf-noaa-gong-maps-hidden-magnetism-on-the-suns-far-side/

Discover how NSF NSO scientists use new methods to map the magnetic polarities of far-side sunspots, improving global space weather forecasting.

04/24/2026

Solar Activity Report: April 13 - 19, 2026

Solar activity remained at low levels during the reporting period. X‑ray flux was predominantly within the B‑class range, with only occasional short‑lived increases into the C‑class. Active region 14419 was the dominant contributor, responsible for five of the seven C‑class flares recorded, including the strongest event of the week, a C4.1 flare on April 17. Additional low‑level C‑class flares were observed on April 13, 16, 17, and 18, while the remainder of the week stayed within the B‑class range. A few CMEs were detected, none with Earth‑directed components.

Data by NSF-NOAA GONG, operated by NSF NSO.

Additional Credits: Jain/Oien/NSF/GONG/NSO/AURA with contributions by NOAA.

04/09/2026

Just Published! Solar Physics Review: “Three Decades of Global Oscillation Network Group: From Helioseismology to Magnetic Field and Space Weather.”

Since 1995, the NSF-NOAA Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG) has been observing the Sun with a worldwide network of six sites. Originally planned as a 3-year mission, GONG is still going strong at the NSF National Solar Observatory—delivering near-continuous, high-cadence data that has transformed how we understand our star.

What has GONG revealed?

☀️ The Sun’s internal dynamics
☀️ The Sun’s structural properties
☀️ The Sun’s surface magnetic activity

These insights have been crucial for both scientific discovery and space-weather forecasting. From probing the solar interior to understanding how it interacts with the atmosphere and heliosphere, GONG continues to shape models of how the Sun works—and what it means for Earth. And it’s not stopping anytime soon. For a comprehensive summary of the project follow the link below to the Solar Physics Review.

The U.S. National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG) began observing the Sun in 1995, focusing initially on helioseismic full-disk Doppler measurements over a planned three-year period. The network utilizes six strategically located sites around the world. GONG has ...

04/07/2026

Solar Activity Report: March 30 - April 5, 2026

Solar activity fluctuated sharply over the past week. The period opened at high levels on March 30 with a long‑duration X1.4 flare from active region 14405, located in the southeastern quadrant of the visible disk. Activity then dropped markedly on March 31, with the strongest event reaching only C1.5 before declining into the B‑class range. Conditions rose again on April 1 as multiple high‑intensity C‑class flares were recorded, the largest being a C8.1 event. From April 2 through April 4, activity remained at moderate to high levels, driven by several M‑class and numerous strong C‑class flares. The largest daily events were M3.5, M1.3, and M7.5 on April 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Activity decreased once more on April 5, with a C3.8 flare as the day’s peak.

In summary, April 4 stood out as the most active day of the week. Active region 14409 dominated the activity, producing six M‑class flares and roughly 50 C‑class flares. Several CMEs were detected by coronagraphs throughout the week, but none were assessed to have significant Earth‑directed impacts.

Helioseismic maps of the far side show several active regions currently present. One of them—an active region from the previous rotation—appears to have a high likelihood of returning to the visible hemisphere around April 11.

Data by NSF-NOAA GONG, operated by NSF NSO.

Additional Credits: Jain/Oien/NSF/GONG/NSO/AURA with contributions by NOAA.