NOAA Issues Alert: Moderate Solar Flare Erupts From Sun

• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued an alert for an R2-level, or Moderate, solar flare event.
• The flare, measured as an M5.9-class eruption, was detected originating from a newly emerging sunspot group on the sun's eastern limb.
• Occurring at 22:22 UTC on November 28, the event has prompted scientists to monitor for any associated Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs).
• Further analysis is underway to determine if any resulting CMEs could be directed toward Earth, potentially impacting satellite and communication systems.

Major Solar Flare Eruption Sparks Concern

The sun has once again demonstrated its volatile power, unleashing a significant solar flare that has put space weather experts on high alert. The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), a branch of NOAA, confirmed that an R2 (Moderate) radio blackout event occurred on Friday, November 28, 2025, at approximately 22:22 UTC.

Details of the Solar Event

According to the official alert, the solar flare was classified as an M5.9 event. Solar flares are categorized by their strength, with M-class flares being the second-strongest type, capable of causing brief radio blackouts that affect Earth's polar regions. This specific eruption was observed in Solar Ultraviolet Imager (SUVI) imagery, pinpointing its origin to a yet-to-be-named sunspot group that was just rotating into view on the sun's eastern limb.

Scientists on Watch for Earth-Directed CMEs

While the immediate effects of the flare itself are limited, the primary concern now shifts to a potential secondary event: a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME). CMEs are massive explosions of plasma and magnetic fields from the sun's corona that can be hurled into space. If a CME is associated with this flare and directed towards Earth, it could lead to geomagnetic storms, which have the potential to disrupt communications, the electric power grid, navigation, and satellite operations.

What Happens Next?

NOAA scientists are actively analyzing all available imagery and data to determine if a CME was produced and to forecast its trajectory. The space agency has assured the public that it will continue to monitor the situation closely. "Analysis will be performed on any associated CMEs that may occur as imagery becomes available," the agency stated. All eyes are on the sun as the world waits to see if this powerful solar blast will have any further consequences for our planet. For now, the alert serves as a critical reminder of the dynamic and sometimes hazardous nature of our solar system. Stay tuned for further updates as they become available.