Northern Lights could appear this week after powerful solar flares

The sun produced an X8.3-class flare from Active Region 4366 and NOAA says related coronal mass ejections could reach Earth around Feb. 5, possibly sparking auroras; timing and visibility remain uncertain.

The sun has been unusually active over the past day, producing several strong flares, including an X8.3-class event. These bursts came from a rapidly growing sunspot named Active Region 4366. NOAA reported a complex eruption tied to multiple X-class flares and noted the possibility of several coronal mass ejections. Scientists say that if one or more of those CMEs intersect Earth's magnetic field, the northern lights could appear. Key details: - An X8.3-class solar flare peaked at 6:57 p.m. EST on Feb. 1, and the same day included an X1.0 event followed by additional X-class flares on Feb. 2. - The activity originated from Active Region 4366, which intensified quickly and became one of the sun's most active flare producers. - NOAA described a complex eruption that may have produced up to three coronal mass ejections associated with recent X-class flares. - Models indicate at least one of those CMEs could pass close enough to Earth around Feb. 5, which is the most likely window for auroral activity. - Visibility and precise locations are uncertain because auroras depend on how strongly any Earth-directed CME interacts with Earth's magnetic field, and forecasts can change if more M- or X-class flares occur. Summary: The recent strong solar flares raise the possibility of auroras around Feb. 5 if modeled CMEs interact with Earth's magnetic field. Exact timing and where the northern lights might be visible are undetermined at this time. Space-weather centers are monitoring conditions and will update forecasts as observations and models evolve.