US EditionHow a Solar Radiation Storm Created January 2026's Aurora
The solar storm, driven by a coronal mass ejection, caused severe geomagnetic effects and auroras seen as far south as northern Italy, threatening satellites and aviation safety.
- On Monday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center declared an S4 solar radiation storm, the largest to hit Earth since 2003, issuing an alert at 8:52 a.m. and actively monitoring conditions.
- On Jan. 18, observatories detected a CME following the Jan. 17 X1.9-class solar flare that struck Earth on Jan. 19.
- Radiation levels rose for crew and high-altitude passengers, prompting astronauts aboard the International Space Station to shelter in the American Destiny module and Russia's Zvezda, while satellites entered safe mode and polar flights were rerouted.
- Aurorae lit skies from Germany to the southwestern United States, and the storm scored an 8, putting 27 states within view with only minor disruptions as it wanes.
- As the Sun is in solar maximum, NOAA warned an S4 solar radiation storm, the largest since 2003, with increased satellite drag risks in low Earth orbit.
16 Articles
16 Articles
How a solar radiation storm created January 2026's aurora
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