Solar activity
ByTeo Blašković
Solar activity increased on April 29, 2025, with three M-class solar flares recorded during the first half of the UTC day as large Active Region 4079 rotated into Earth’s view. Region 4079, formerly designated AR 4055, underwent significant growth while on the far side of the Sun and is expected to be the primary source of solar activity in the coming days.
Active Region 4079 at 10:45 UTC on April 29, 2025. Credit: NASA SDO/HMI
Active Region 4079, formerly designated AR 4055, is rotating into Earth’s view after undergoing significant growth while on the far side of the Sun. Solar activity increased on April 29, 2025 (UTC), with three M-class flares recorded during the first half of the day, including one from Region 4079. Forecasts suggest that Region 4079 will likely be the primary contributor to notable solar activity in the coming days.
Flaring from Region 4079 started with a C3.2 flare at 21:52 UTC on April 28, followed by C1.7, C1.6, and C3.9 flares before the end of the UTC day. Activity continued into April 29 with a C1.7 at 04:19, a C1.6 at 04:40, and a C2.4 at 04:56 UTC. Flaring then intensified, with an M1.7 flare from Region 4079 at 05:13 UTC, an M1.3 flare from Region 4068 at 10:02 UTC, and an M1.6 flare from Region 4078 at 10:57 UTC.
The last M-class flare before today occurred eight days ago, at 18:37 UTC on April 21, and was classified as M1.9.

There are currently 10 numbered regions on the Earth-facing side of the Sun. The most likely candidates for notable flaring are Region 4070, with a Beta-Gamma magnetic configuration, and the newly numbered Region 4079, classified as Beta.
SWPC forecasters expect low solar activity with a 15% chance of M-class flaring through April 30, increasing to 20% on May 1.


A partial filament eruption centered near S30W30 was observed in SDO AIA 304 imagery beginning at approximately 07:12 UTC on April 28. A subsequent narrow coronal mass ejection (CME) was observed in SOHO LASCO C2 coronagraph imagery at approximately 08:48 UTC. Modeling indicated that the CME missed Earth to the south.
The greater than 2 MeV electron flux reached moderate levels during the 24 hours ending at 00:30 UTC today, while the greater than 10 MeV proton flux remained at background levels.
The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to remain at normal to moderate levels through May 1, while the greater than 10 MeV proton flux is expected to continue at background levels.
Solar wind parameters remained slightly enhanced over the past 24 hours due to the waning influence of a positive polarity coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS). The total magnetic field strength ranged from 5 to 9 nT. The Bz component was primarily northward, with brief southward deflections reaching -3 to -5 nT. Solar wind speeds gradually decreased from approximately 450 km/s to 375 km/s. Phi was predominantly in a positive solar sector.

A slightly enhanced solar wind environment is expected to persist through April 29, with a return to mostly ambient conditions expected between April 29 and May 1.
The geomagnetic field is expected to remain at mostly quiet to unsettled levels on April 29, with a chance for an isolated active period under the influence of waning positive polarity CH HSS effects. Mostly quiet conditions are forecast from April 30 through May 1.
Teo Blašković
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
Teo Blašković
https://watchers.news/author/teo-blaskovic/
Mount Etna eruption intensifies with lava fountains and ash emissions, Italy
Teo Blašković
https://watchers.news/author/teo-blaskovic/
Strong M6.8 earthquake hits Macquarie Island region
Teo Blašković
https://watchers.news/author/teo-blaskovic/
Shallow M6.2 earthquake hits off the west coast of South Island, New Zealand
Teo Blašković
https://watchers.news/author/teo-blaskovic/
Kosmos 482 spacecraft, built for Venus landing, to reenter Earth’s atmosphere after 53 years
- Related by tag and category
- Related by tag
- Related by category
G2 geomagnetic storm watch in effect for April 16 following solar filament eruption
Monday, April 14, 2025
Solar radiation storm reaches S2 levels, strong M5.6 solar flare erupts from AR 4046
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Major X1.1 solar flare erupts near the east limb, large CME produced
Friday, March 28, 2025
Earth-directed CME from March 21 triggers G3 – Strong geomagnetic storm watch
Saturday, March 22, 2025
Long-duration M3.9 solar flare erupts with large CME off west limb
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Impulsive X2.0 solar flare erupts from the Sun’s northwest limb
Sunday, February 23, 2025
M7.6 solar flare erupts from Region 3981
Thursday, February 6, 2025
CME impacts Earth sparking widespread aurora, G3 – Strong storm Watch in effect for April 16
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
G2 geomagnetic storm watch in effect for April 16 following solar filament eruption
Monday, April 14, 2025
Solar radiation storm reaches S2 levels, strong M5.6 solar flare erupts from AR 4046
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
S1 – Minor solar radiation storm following X1.1 flare
Monday, March 31, 2025
Major X1.1 solar flare erupts near the east limb, large CME produced
Friday, March 28, 2025
Large coronal hole facing Earth, G2 – Moderate geomagnetic storm
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Earth-directed CME from March 21 triggers G3 – Strong geomagnetic storm watch
Saturday, March 22, 2025
G2 geomagnetic storm watch in effect for April 16 following solar filament eruption
Monday, April 14, 2025
Solar radiation storm reaches S2 levels, strong M5.6 solar flare erupts from AR 4046
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Major X1.1 solar flare erupts near the east limb, large CME produced
Friday, March 28, 2025
Earth-directed CME from March 21 triggers G3 – Strong geomagnetic storm watch
Saturday, March 22, 2025
Long-duration M3.9 solar flare erupts with large CME off west limb
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Impulsive X2.0 solar flare erupts from the Sun’s northwest limb
Sunday, February 23, 2025
M7.6 solar flare erupts from Region 3981
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Commenting rules and guidelines
We value the thoughts and opinions of our readers and welcome healthy discussions on our website. In order to maintain a respectful and positive community, we ask that all commenters follow these rules.
Leave a reply
Latest articles
At least 2 dead in Pittsburgh as severe storms sweep through Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
April 30, 2025
Mount Etna eruption intensifies with lava fountains and ash emissions, Italy
April 30, 2025
Severe thunderstorms forecast for parts of Texas, Oklahoma, and the northeastern U.S. as powerful storm system moves east
April 29, 2025
Tornadoes cause damage in Minnesota and Wisconsin
April 29, 2025
Strong M6.8 earthquake hits Macquarie Island region
April 29, 2025
From the same category
Solar activity
G2 geomagnetic storm watch in effect for April 16 following solar filament eruption
April 14, 2025
Featured articlesSolar activity
Solar radiation storm reaches S2 levels, strong M5.6 solar flare erupts from AR 4046
April 1, 2025
Editors' picksSolar activity
Major X1.1 solar flare erupts near the east limb, large CME produced
March 28, 2025
Featured articlesSolar activity
Earth-directed CME from March 21 triggers G3 – Strong geomagnetic storm watch
March 22, 2025
Most read
- 24 hours
- 7 days
- 30 days
Major agricultural losses after severe hailstorms hit Romania
April 29, 2025
Strong M6.8 earthquake hits Macquarie Island region
April 29, 2025
Shallow M6.2 earthquake hits off the west coast of South Island, New Zealand
April 29, 2025
Tornadoes cause damage in Minnesota and Wisconsin
April 29, 2025
Severe thunderstorms forecast for parts of Texas, Oklahoma, and the northeastern U.S. as powerful storm system moves east
April 29, 2025
Mount Etna eruption intensifies with lava fountains and ash emissions, Italy
April 30, 2025
At least 2 dead in Pittsburgh as severe storms sweep through Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
April 30, 2025
Floods claim one life in Lawton as severe storms sweep through Oklahoma
April 27, 2025
Study predicts two extreme solar flares stronger than X14.3 during Solar Cycle 25
April 24, 2025
Very strong M6.3 earthquake hits near the coast of Ecuador
April 25, 2025
Major power outage hits Spain, Portugal and southern France after ‘rare atmospheric phenomenon’
April 28, 2025
More than 10 tornadoes rip through Texas as severe weather sweeps across central U.S.
April 25, 2025
Severe weather outbreak forecast across Midwest and Upper Midwest on April 28, 2025
April 26, 2025
Tennis ball-sized hail causes widespread damage near Austin, Texas
April 23, 2025
Over 144 000 livestock lost in devastating Queensland floods, Australia
April 11, 2025
Strong M7.1 earthquake hits Tonga, potential tsunami threat
March 30, 2025
Floods claim one life in Lawton as severe storms sweep through Oklahoma
April 27, 2025
Very strong M6.9 earthquake hits Papua New Guinea, hazardous tsunami waves possible
April 4, 2025
Very strong M6.9 earthquake hits Reykjanes Ridge
April 3, 2025
Level 3 alert issued for Shinmoedake volcano, Japan after 200 tremors in 24 hours
March 31, 2025
Strong M6.0 earthquake strikes off the coast of Kyushu, Japan
April 2, 2025
Subscribe to our newsletter
Use the form below to have our daily news roundup delivered to your inbox every day at midnight UTC.
The newsletter is free and you can unsubscribe anytime.