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Astronomical event

January 2026 X-class solar flare and geomagnetic storm

An X-class solar flare detected on 18 January 2026 was followed by a coronal mass ejection and a severe geomagnetic storm.

Published

Key facts

  • Status: scheduled
  • Time precision: exact
ESA reports that the X-class solar flare was detected at 18:09 UTC on 18 January 2026. It was followed by a coronal mass ejection observed by the LASCO coronagraphs on SOHO. The ejection reached Earth about 25 hours later, producing disturbed geomagnetic conditions. The high-energy particle shower peaked at 19:15 UTC on 19 January and reached severe S4 levels. ESA says the geomagnetic storm reached the top of the warning scales.