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Confined and eruptive flares

A recent paper by Cliver et al. (2025) has shed some additional light on why strong X-class flares are sometimes not associated with a coronal mass ejection.

It's all flares on the menu!

NOAA 14366 has become the most flare-productive group of the ongoing solar cycle. In fact, it's already on the third place of groups producing the most M- and X-class flares since the start of the GOES measurements half a century ago!

Perspective

On 19 January 2026, one of the strongest solar radiation storms of the last few decades took place. However, though the storm contained a large number of low-energy protons, the number of high-energy protons remained mostly at background levels. A few aspects of this event are discussed, and a crude reference is provided. 

X-class flares and a geomagnetic storm

The magnetic cloud ("CME") associated with the strong flare late on 1 February produced by sunspot group 4366, arrived yesterday 4 February. It resulted in a -still ongoing- minor geomagnetic storm. For Belgium, this means no aurora are visible.  Meanwhile, NOAA 4366 produced another strong X-class flare on 4 February. (***UPDATED 6***)

Anatomy of an aurora

A concise analysis of the spectacular aurora that were observed during the 19-20 January geomagnetic storm.

Prominence eruptions through the eyes of ASPIICS

Proba-3/ASPIICS captured three prominence eruptions in five hours during an active period on 21 September 2025.

Spectacular aurora!

The magnetic cloud (CME) associated with yesterday's X1 flare has already arrived. A severe geomagnetic storm is in progress. Spectacular aurora have been observed over Belgium. 

X1.9 flare

NOAA 4341 produced a long-duration X1.9 flare during the late afternoon of 18 January. The associated coronal mass ejection is expected to impact the Earth's magnetic field on 20 January, possibly resulting in a major geomagnetic storm. Currently, a proton event is in progress.

A sunspot oddity

Something not seen very often: a bipolar sunspot region with both main portions having the same magnetic polarity.

First Proba-3 ASPIICS Guest Investigator Call

The first Proba-3 ASPIICS Guest Investigator call is now open, with a submission deadline of 12 February 2026. The GI programme offers access to Proba-3 ASPIICS data and the unique chance to participate in instrument commanding. 

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