The Sun’s in chaos mode.. On 14 May 2025, it erupted with its strongest flare this year—an X2.7-class solar storm that caused radio blackouts across five continents.
In the early hours of Tuesday, as most of the world slept, our closest star released a powerful burst of electromagnetic energy from sunspot region AR4087. The X2.7-class flare, which peaked at 08:25 UTC (4:25 pm AEST), is the most intense solar flare observed in 2025 so far. While the event did not pose a direct threat to Earth, it did disrupt high-frequency radio communications across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas.
According to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, this eruption triggered R3-level radio blackouts, the third-highest on a five-point scale, across the sunlit side of Earth. The flares ionised Earth’s upper atmosphere, causing significant shortwave radio fade-outs—particularly affecting aviation, maritime operators, and emergency communication systems.
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded this image of a solar flare on May 14, visible as the bright burst on the left side. [NASA]
What Is a Solar Flare and Why Does It Matter?
A solar flare is a sudden, rapid, and intense burst of radiation caused by magnetic energy released from sunspots on the Sun’s surface. They are often accompanied by coronal mass ejections (CMEs)—huge clouds of solar plasma and magnetic fields hurled into space.
Flares are categorised into five classes: A, B, C, M, and X. Each class represents a tenfold increase in energy output, with X-class being the most powerful. The number following the letter indicates further strength, meaning an X2.7 flare is stronger than an X1.0 but weaker than an X9.0.
According to NASA and NOAA, flares of this magnitude can disrupt power grids, satellite operations, navigation systems, and communication networks. They can also pose radiation risks to astronauts and aircraft flying at high altitudes near the poles.
Where Did the Flare Hit?
This particular X2.7 flare originated from AR4087, a sunspot region located near the eastern limb of the Sun. While the flare was pointed slightly away from Earth, it was still strong enough to affect us.
At the time of the eruption, the Middle East, Asia, and parts of Europe were facing the Sun. These regions experienced the brunt of the shortwave radio disruptions. Affected areas saw communication dropouts for up to 10 minutes during the flare’s peak, particularly among amateur radio operators and maritime users.
The flare followed an earlier M5.3-class eruption just hours before, and a separate X1.2 flare the day prior—suggesting a spike in solar activity as the Sun continues through its solar maximum phase.
What Is the Solar Maximum?
The Sun goes through an 11-year cycle of solar activity, fluctuating between quiet (solar minimum) and highly active (solar maximum) phases. During the solar maximum, the number of sunspots increases, and so does the frequency of flares and CMEs.
NASA and the NOAA announced in late 2024 that the Sun had entered this solar maximum, and it is expected to continue throughout 2025. The most powerful flare of the current cycle so far remains the X9.0 flare recorded in October 2024.
As AR4087 continues to rotate across the Sun’s surface toward Earth, scientists are keeping a close eye on its behaviour. More eruptions may follow, and if directed straight at our planet, future flares could carry stronger consequences—ranging from vibrant auroras to potential geomagnetic storms.
What’s Next?
While the X2.7 flare did not cause lasting damage, the event is a reminder of the dynamic nature of our star. According to Shawn Dahl from the Space Weather Prediction Center, there’s a strong likelihood that AR4087 could release more flares in the days ahead.
“This is getting intense,” noted aurora chaser Vincent Ledvina on social media. “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.”
If the region does produce a coronal mass ejection aimed at Earth, we could expect spectacular auroral displays even in latitudes that don’t typically see the northern or southern lights.
Australians, particularly those in southern parts of the country like Tasmania and Victoria, should watch space weather forecasts. These events could bring rare chances to witness the aurora australis—without needing to travel to Antarctica.
How to Stay Informed
To stay up to date on solar activity and potential impacts, visit the NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center at spaceweather.gov and follow updates from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory.
With solar maximum in full swing, space weather is becoming more relevant than ever—not just for scientists, but for everyone relying on modern technology. And as the Sun continues to put on a show, the world watches closely, hoping the next big flare brings only beauty—not blackouts.
