National Solar Observatory

The mission of the National Solar Observatory is to advance knowledge of the Sun, both as an astronomical object and as the dominant external influence on Earth

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☀️ Ka Lā | The Sun, the Earth and Us 🌍 We’re proud to share a new @NSF documentary filmed on Haleakalā, Maui! Discover our timeless connection to the Sun and the groundbreaking science at the NSF Inouye Solar Telescope🎬: https://t.co/bHytc60Bc1

#NSFfunded #InouyeSolarTelescope

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🧵 (3/3) Flares of this magnitude are typically associated with coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Sure enough, LASCO C3 coronagraph shows CME signatures for both events!

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Active Region 14455 just produced several major M- and X-class flares and eruptions! ☀️💥This video shows solar activity during this period as observed by the NSF-NOAA GONG station in El Teide, Canary Islands. 🧵 (1/3)

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🧵 (2/3)

⏱️ 7:00 UT: A powerful M7.7 class flare peaks. Watch closely right after the flash (flare brightening), you can see dark, filamentary structures snapping away as material erupts.

⏱️ 11:28 UT: The sun follows up with a massive X1.0 class flare.

[National Solar Observatory @NatSolarObs]

A new 4π framework from NSF NSO, NWRA, and SwRI is fixing solar flare blind spots ☀️ By using NSF-NOAA GONG far-side maps, scientists can now track hidden active regions and reduce missed limb-flares: https://t.co/YHbYKAiYVo

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(2/2) All remaining activity consisted of low C‑class flares, and no Earth‑directed CMEs were identified.

Data by NSF-NOAA GONG, operated by NSF NSO. Additional Credits: Jain/Oien/NSF/GONG/NSO/AURA with contributions by NOAA. #NSFfunded #spaceweather

[National Solar Observatory @NatSolarObs]

(1/2) Solar Activity Report: May 25-31, 2024: Solar activity was predominantly low, characterized by low‑intensity C‑class flares. The most significant event was an M1.1 flare on May 29 originating from Active Region 14455 in the northeast quadrant.

[National Solar Observatory @NatSolarObs]

The Inouye is operated by the NSF National Solar Observatory. This image was created using scientific data processed for general audiences and is not intended for scientific analysis. #NSFfunded #NationalSolarObservatory #InouyeSolarTelescope #Sun⠀

[National Solar Observatory @NatSolarObs]

Close-up view of a solar active region observed in hydrogen H-alpha light (656.3 nm) with the Visible Broadband Imager from the @NSF Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope! 🔎☀️

[National Solar Observatory @NatSolarObs]

📸: The elongated dark features (fibrils) trace the Sun’s magnetic field lines. Their top-to-bottom orientation reveals how the magnetic field connects regions of opposite magnetic polarity across the solar atmosphere.

[National Solar Observatory @NatSolarObs]

Data by NSF-NOAA GONG, operated by NSF NSO.
Additional Credits: Jain/Oien/NSF/GONG/NSO/AURA with contributions by NOAA.

[National Solar Observatory @NatSolarObs]

Solar Activity Report: May 18-24, 2026 ☀️Activity started low with X-ray flux in the B-range and a few low-intensity C-class flares. Activity dipped even further on May 20, when the flux remained entirely below the B–C threshold. By mid‑day on May 21, conditions shifted.

[National Solar Observatory @NatSolarObs]

If it continues to strengthen, it should reach the east limb on May 29. The far‑side active region mentioned in last week’s report has now rotated onto the front side and has been assigned NOAA 14446.

[National Solar Observatory @NatSolarObs]

Data by NSF-NOAA GONG, operated by NSF NSO. Additional Credits: Jain/Oien/NSF/GONG/NSO/AURA with contributions by NOAA. #NSFfunded #spaceweather

[National Solar Observatory @NatSolarObs]

Solar Activity Report: May 11-17, 2026

Activity remained mostly at low levels, rising to moderate levels at the week's end when several low‑intensity M‑class flares were produced. X‑ray flux generally stayed in the B range, with only a few low‑level C‑class flares until May 13.

[National Solar Observatory @NatSolarObs]

Solar Orbiter has already detected a couple of X‑class flares and nearly a dozen M‑class flares over the past three days. If the region maintains its magnetic structure and continues to intensify, solar activity levels are likely to increase toward the end of the week.