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Powerful Solar Flares Disrupt Communications, Ignite Aurora Hopes

6/17/2025

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Summary

Story summary

An Earth-facing sunspot has unleashed a series of powerful M-class solar flares, peaking with an intense M8.46 flare on June 15 that disrupted shortwave radio communications across North America. As a coronal mass ejection (CME) heads our way on June 18, it could spark minor geomagnetic storms, offering a chance to witness the northern lights in northern Michigan and Maine.

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Story summary

An Earth-facing sunspot has unleashed a series of powerful M-class solar flares, peaking with an intense M8.46 flare on June 15 that disrupted shortwave radio communications across North America. As a coronal mass ejection (CME) heads our way on June 18, it could spark minor geomagnetic storms, offering a chance to witness the northern lights in northern Michigan and Maine.