Solar activity has decreased threefold over the past two years.
Solar activity has dropped nearly threefold over the past 24 months, falling from a level of 216 units in August 2024 to 76 units this past August, 2026.
The first magnetic storm of autumn has begun on Earth.
On Earth, at approximately 11 o'clock Moscow time, the first magnetic storm of September began. The event is currently weak and belongs to the first category on a 5-point scale.
The Sun has ejected new clouds toward Earth.
Multiple plasma ejections observed on the Sun over the past few days are set to result in at least two impacts on Earth on September 8 and 9—that is, tomorrow and the day after. This is indicated by data from space-based coronagraphs as well as the results of numerical modeling.
Multiple emissions of radiation into space are being detected from the Sun.
A sharp surge in solar activity is evident in images from space telescopes and coronagraphs. Its primary indicator is multiple plasma ejections on the star's left (eastern) limb.
The number of strong solar flares in the summer of 2026 was 30% higher than a year ago.
Contrary to predictions based on expectations of a declining solar cycle, the summer of 2026 was more active than last year's. From June 1 to August 31, 82 strong flares of magnitude M or higher were recorded on the star, including three of the highest magnitude X. During the same period in 2025, there were 62 strong flares. The number of X-flares was also lower: two versus three.
Space weather on August 31, 2026
The period of heightened geomagnetic activity forecast for Friday and Saturday has ended. Magnetic storm levels were not reached; conditions remained limited to moderate disturbances. At present, the geomagnetic activity index is slightly elevated but has remained in the "green zone" for over two days.
Today is the ninth full moon of 2026.
The ninth full moon of the year occurs tonight, overnight from August 27 to 28. This calendar anomaly—nine full moons in eight months—arose because of the "Blue Moon" on May 31, which managed to squeeze into the same calendar month as a previous full moon; May saw two full moons, occurring on the 1st and the 31st.
Magnetic storms are expected on Earth on Friday
The M7.0 flare that occurred yesterday midday turned out to be the final act of the show. Judging by the data, the Sun expended the last of its available energy in that event, after which activity ceased abruptly—as if someone had flipped a switch. The plasma cloud ejected by yesterday’s explosion is currently heading toward Earth, positioned somewhere between the orbits of Mercury and Venus, and is not expected to reach the planet until the day after tomorrow, Friday.
A solar flare ejected a cloud of plasma toward Earth.
The strongest flare of the current activity surge—an M7.0 class event accompanied by a clear ejection of plasma into space—has been recorded on the Sun. It appears that at least the edge of the plasma cloud is striking Earth, although the main front may still pass below the planet.
Powerful solar flares posing a threat to Earth have resumed.
A rapid increase in solar activity has been observed since approximately midnight Moscow time. A large active region (catalog number 4513) has suddenly become active; it is currently situated right in the center of the visible solar disk—an area from which direct impacts on Earth are possible.