The sun has been particularly active recently, and this weekend the Earth experienced the effects of a solar storm. Thesun recently unleasheda coronal mass ejection (CME) on July 21 that has been traveling through the solar system andcreateda minor geomagnetic storm as it arrived at Earth.
The Solar Ultraviolet Imager (#SUVI) aboard@NOAA's#GOES16🛰️ saw a stormy Sun on July 21! you’re able to see a#CoronalMassEjectionjust above the middle of the Sun near the end of this animation (arrow).@NWSSWPCsays a G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm is likely on July 23.pic.twitter.com/bOTt88kg6k
— NOAA Satellites – Public Affairs (@NOAASatellitePA)August 13, 2025
This kind of solar activity is unlikely to affect most people’s everyday lives, but it can affect satellites and make auroras visible in further parts of the globe than is typical. These kinds of solar events are likely to become more frequent in the coming months, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) due to thesun’s cycle of activity.
G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storming was observed at 23/0359 UTC. A G1 warning is in effect until 23/1800 UTC.pic.twitter.com/93MxPUoTHS
— NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC)August 01, 2025
“The sun’s 11-year activity cycle is ramping back up, meaning phenomena such as CMEs and solar flares are increasing in frequency,” NOAAwrites. “Depending on the size and the trajectory of solar eruptions, the possible effects to near-Earth space and Earth’s magnetosphere can cause geomagnetic storms, which can disrupt power utilities and communication and navigation systems. These storms may also cause radiation damage to orbiting satellites and the International Space Station.”
We do now have a new instrument for observing such outbursts, in the form of NOAA’s GOES-18 satellite. Launched by NASA inMarch this year, this weather observation satellite has already sent backstunning views of our planettaken using its Advanced Baseline Imager instrument. But it also has other instruments on board for observing the sun, including an X-ray and extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) camera. This camera can observe the extremely high temperatures of the sun’s corona to see events like CMEs and solar flares.
NOAA recently shared the first images from GOES-18’s Solar Ultraviolet Imager instrument, or SUVI, showing the sun in various extreme ultraviolet channels during a similar coronal mass ejection on July 10. you’re able to see the CME most clearly in the bottom right image, and if you head toNOAA’s websiteyou can see video of the event as well.
GOES-18 is currently undergoing post-launch testing, including checking its instruments before they begin full operations. The satellite is expected to be ready for its operational role in early 2023.
