Solar activity right now
Flare level: B6.5 · Kp 1 (quiet) · tonight up to Kp 2.67
Right now the Sun's X-ray output sits at B6.5 — quiet, and Earth's geomagnetic field is at Kp 1 (quiet), with tonight's forecast peaking near Kp 2.67. Data: NOAA GOES X-ray flux and the planetary K-index, refreshed every 15 minutes. We're at solar maximum— the most active phase of the Sun's 11-year cycle.
What the flare classes mean
| Class | Strength | Typical effects |
|---|---|---|
| A / B | Background | None |
| C | Common | Minor, frequent at solar max |
| M | Moderate | Brief radio blackouts, polar aurora boost |
| X | Extreme | Strong blackouts; CMEs → storms & mid-latitude aurora 1–3 days later |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sun flaring right now?
The current GOES X-ray level corresponds to a B6.5 flare level — quiet. C-class flares are routine; M-class can cause short radio blackouts; X-class are the big ones that can spark strong aurora displays a day or two later.
What is the Kp index right now?
The planetary Kp index is currently 1 (quiet), with tonight's forecast peaking around Kp 2.67. Kp 5+ is a geomagnetic storm; the higher the Kp, the further south the aurora reaches.
Does a solar flare mean aurora tonight?
Not immediately. The flare's light arrives in 8 minutes, but the aurora comes from the coronal mass ejection (CME) — a cloud of solar plasma that takes 1–3 days to reach Earth. A big flare today often means storm watches for the following nights.
Are solar flares dangerous on the ground?
Not to people — Earth's atmosphere and magnetic field absorb the radiation. Strong events can disrupt HF radio, GPS accuracy and, in extreme cases, power grids; satellites feel it most, through increased drag and radiation.
When the storm comes
A big flare today is tomorrow's light show: check the aurora forecast for your city (552 cities, live Kp vs your local threshold), enable a free storm alert, or watch the Sun and everything it flings at us on the live 3D map. Clear skies also mean ISS passes and the Moon.