Sun Erupts With M6.9 Solar Flare and Launches CME Toward Earth

A powerful M6.9 solar flare erupted from Earth-facing sunspot region 4513 on August 25 at 6:00 a.m. EDT, hurling a coronal mass ejection into space that could hit Earth later this week.

According to SpaceWeatherLive, the eruption peaked at 1000 GMT and triggered a moderate R2-level radio blackout across the sunlit side of Earth. High-frequency radio communications were affected over parts of Africa, Europe, and the Arctic.

Sunspot region 4513 has demonstrated intense activity, firing off five other strong M-class flares over a 24-hour period. Solar flares are classified into five categories—A, B, C, M, and X—with each class being ten times more powerful than the previous one.

Modeling from NASA indicates that the resulting coronal mass ejection (CME) could deliver a glancing blow to Earth on Friday, August 28, around 1000 to 1100 GMT, with a seven-hour window of uncertainty.

The impact of the CME may be amplified by a separate high-speed solar wind stream expected to reach Earth starting August 27. The Solar Influences Data Analysis Center forecasts unsettled to active geomagnetic conditions that could lead to minor solar storm levels and enhanced aurora displays.

Earlier in the month, active region 4513 produced an M1.88 flare on August 20, which was quickly surpassed by a stronger M8.1-class eruption later that day. European research institutes noted that the sunspot group had emerged onto the visible disk just a day prior and unexpectedly reactivated after showing signs of waning energy.