A significant solar filament eruption has been observed, captured by the GOES-19 spacecraft. Solar filaments are structures of cooler plasma held above the Sun's surface by magnetic fields. When these filaments become unstable, they can erupt, leading to coronal mass ejections (CMEs). CMEs are large expulsions of plasma that travel through space and can cause geomagnetic storms on Earth.
Experts are monitoring solar activity and predict potential minor to strong geomagnetic disturbances in June 2025. Disturbances are expected around June 2–4, 9–12, 18–21, and 27–30, with the strongest activity potentially occurring from June 18 to 21. These storms can affect technology, including satellites, navigation tools, and power grids, potentially causing GPS disruptions, poor mobile and internet signals, and brief power outages.
GOES-19, now operational since April 7, 2025, carries a compact coronagraph instrument (CCOR-1) that images the Sun's outer atmosphere to detect CMEs and warn of impending geomagnetic storms. The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) is presenting coronagraph images from GOES-19, updated every 15 minutes. While a filament eruption occurred on May 7, 2025, it was oriented away from Earth and had no direct impact on our planet.
The Prediction Panel anticipates Solar Cycle 25 to reach its maximum in July 2025, with a peak of 115 sunspots. The panel expects the cycle maximum could be between 105-125 with the peak occurring between November 2024 and March 2026.