NASA warns huge solar flare is heading for Earth in blackout alert
A massive X-class solar flare has erupted from the Sun, sparking powerful radio blackouts across large parts of the globe — and experts warn more could be on the way as the active sunspot rotates directly toward Earth.
The intense eruption came from sunspot region AR4087 and peaked at 4:25am EDT (0825 GMT) on Tuesday (May 14), according to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). The powerful X2.7-class flare hit the daylight side of Earth with a wave of X-rays and extreme ultraviolet radiation, causing R3-level radio disruptions across Europe, Asia and the Middle East, reported space.com.
Solar flares are categorised by strength — A, B, C, M and X — with each level representing a tenfold increase in energy. This flare's X2.7 rating makes it one of the strongest seen in months.
Although Earth was not in the direct path of any potential coronal mass ejection (CME) from this flare — as the sunspot region is still near the Sun's edge — scientists are monitoring the situation closely. CMEs are large bursts of solar plasma and magnetic field that can trigger geomagnetic storms and even spectacular auroras, particularly if they collide with Earth's magnetic field.
Crucially, sunspot AR4087 is rotating toward Earth, and it's already proving volatile. It has released multiple flares in a matter of hours, including a strong M5.3-class flare shortly before the X2.7 eruption.
Aurora expert Vincent Ledvina warned of potential escalation, saying on X (formerly Twitter): 'This is getting intense, especially as this active region turns closer into view. This same AR just produced an M5.3 flare a few hours ago. What does this AR have planned over the next days … we'll have to wait and see.'
The X2.7 event marks the most powerful flare since March, when the Sun produced an X1.2-class flare from sunspot region AR4086, which is now rotating out of view. The Sun's recent uptick in activity has sparked fresh concerns about how further eruptions could affect communications, navigation systems, and satellite operations.
The flare caused a rapid ionisation of Earth's upper atmosphere, disrupting high-frequency radio signals for operators across large regions.
According to the SWPC, the United States and other regions could see further flaring in the coming days, depending on how active AR4087 remains as it moves into a more geoeffective position facing Earth.
The sunspot's increasing volatility, combined with Earth's changing alignment, could raise the chances of auroral displays further south than usual — as well as heightened risks of communication blackouts and power grid disturbances.
For now, scientists continue to monitor the situation. But with AR4087 turning to face Earth more directly each day, the next flare might not be so harmless.
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