Surge in Solar Activity Sends Powerful CME Toward Earth, Disrupts Communications and Lights Up Skies

What’s Going On With the Sun and the Increase in Solar Activity

May 22, 2025 — A recent burst of intense solar activity from the Sun has triggered powerful solar flares and a massive coronal mass ejection (CME), causing radio disruptions on Earth and igniting stunning auroras across the Northern Hemisphere.

On May 14, a significant X2.7-class solar flare—the strongest so far this year—erupted from a highly active sunspot region labeled AR4087. The flare temporarily knocked out shortwave radio signals across parts of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Shortly after, a massive CME blasted away from the Sun, heading directly toward Earth and arriving with enough force to disturb our planet’s magnetic field.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) classified the resulting geomagnetic storm as a G2-level event, capable of disrupting satellite operations, GPS navigation, and even some power systems. The CME’s shockwave extended nearly a million kilometers across space.

As the geomagnetic storm hit Earth, skywatchers from as far south as the UK and northern U.S. states like Michigan and Minnesota were treated to spectacular auroras—often seen only near the poles—glowing in vibrant greens and purples.

Experts believe this could be part of a longer-term pattern of increasing solar activity. Some scientists suggest we may be entering a decades-long period of heightened solar storms, linked to a natural 80- to 100-year solar cycle known as the Gleissberg Cycle. If true, more frequent and intense solar events may occur in the coming years.

NASA and NOAA continue to monitor the situation closely and issue alerts to minimize disruptions and help prepare for further impacts. As our reliance on satellites and electrical infrastructure grows, space weather events like these are becoming more important to track.

For now, Earth is experiencing a solar storm show—with both its beauty and its hazards on full display.