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Massive Solar Flares Ignite Northern Lights Possibility

8/8/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Sunspot region 4168 has been busy, unleashing three M-class flares, with a powerful M4.4 flare erupting on August 5. This explosive event sent a coronal mass ejection (CME) hurtling into space. While the CME is headed mostly westward, Earth could feel its effects on August 8, sparking minor geomagnetic storms and possibly illuminating the skies with northern lights in northern Michigan and Maine.

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Story summary

Sunspot region 4168 has been busy, unleashing three M-class flares, with a powerful M4.4 flare erupting on August 5. This explosive event sent a coronal mass ejection (CME) hurtling into space. While the CME is headed mostly westward, Earth could feel its effects on August 8, sparking minor geomagnetic storms and possibly illuminating the skies with northern lights in northern Michigan and Maine.