Powerful Solar Flare Sparks Geomagnetic Storms, Auroras Likely In Southern Skies
Positioned near the centre of the Earth-facing solar disc, this flare was accompanied by a major, asymmetrical full halo coronal mass ejection (CME).
Earth was hit by a powerful geomagnetic storm on Sunday, June 1, with a speed of upwards of 1000 km/sec later.
According to Space Weather Live, sunspot region 4100 produced a beautiful, long-duration M8.2-class solar flare, which peaked at 05:35 IST today (00:05 UTC). Located near the center of the Earth-facing solar disk, this flare is particularly significant.
The eruption is associated with a Type II radio emission, indicating a coronal mass ejection (CME) was launched and current coronagraph imagery suggests it likely has an Earth-directed component.
Positioned near the centre of the Earth-facing solar disc, this flare was accompanied by a major, asymmetrical full halo coronal mass ejection (CME), clearly visible in SOHO/LASCO imagery.
This CME is all but certain to have an Earth-directed component, setting the stage for possible space weather impacts, including auroras, radio disturbances, and power grid fluctuations in higher latitudes.
According to Space Weather Live, a minor G1-class geomagnetic storm was observed today, 1 June 2025, as the Kp index reached Level 5 — the threshold for a G1 storm — at 09:24 UTC, which is 14:54 IST.
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There is a slight possibility of auroral activity becoming visible in mid-latitude regions of the Southern Hemisphere, particularly around Hobart, Australia, and Invercargill, New Zealand, reported Space Live Weather.
This potential is driven by highly active solar wind conditions, with the solar wind speed currently measured at an exceptionally high 1,023 km/sec. Additionally, the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) strength is elevated at 25.55 nT.
However, the IMF is currently pointing northward (6.11 nT), which typically reduces the chance of strong geomagnetic activity since a southward IMF is more favourable for coupling with Earth's magnetic field.
While auroral visibility remains limited for now, even a brief southward shift in the IMF could quickly increase activity, making it worth monitoring if you're located in or near these regions.
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First Published:
June 01, 2025, 16:08 IST
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