The Latest Solar Images

Observations are happening daily, except for most Saturdays, all Sundays, and holiday periods; and are governed by duty schedule, weather, and solar activity. When the Sun has very low activity (spotless), observations will be limited or non-existent. Whenever the Sun becomes active again, the observing program will become active as well, weather permitting. The Sun is expected to reach the maximum activity level of the current Cycle 25 solar cycle. So we anticipate more events in terms of active region size and number, and solar flares.

One can monitor the Sun via several websites that provide real-time images of the Sun. The website, https://www.solarmonitor.org/, has such images in six different channels. The numbers are the NOAA designations for active regions (with the “1” at the start of the designation removed for convenience). Another website with up-t0-date information on solar activity and other goings-on in the skies is www.spaceweather.com. Additional information about the Sun’s current activity can be obtained from https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/, and real-time full-disk H-alpha images from observatories around the world can be viewed at http://halpha.nso.edu/.

A typical observing run may last from one to four hours, depending on seeing considerations, weather, and other work responsibilities, but will include active region monitoring of available active regions and the collection of frames for high-resolution solar mosaics in H-alpha. Each session includes at least one mosaic, which is a series of images made of all parts of the Sun’s disk that can later be stitched together to form a whole-disk image. At the very least, this ensures that all visible features such as prominences, filaments, and active regions (sunspot groups) are all captured in image form at least once per session. Usually observations are carried out in the late morning hours, but an additional session may occur in the mid-afternoon hours and it will include its own mosaic. If a sunspot group is expected to be active, then it becomes a main focus for observation for extended periods of time.

Solar activity is summarized in each day’s entry below, based on the forecast discussion product issued by the Space Weather Prediction Center each morning, along with observed activity (or lack of) the day of the featured observations. Regions are numbered by the NOAA/SWPC and are often provided in four-digit format (e.g. 3327), although I and other sources use the full five-digit designation (13327). Solar flares are described in terms of their X-ray intensity and optical “importance” (apparent brightness and area covered). One can learn more about the X-ray class of solar flares often discussed below by going to this website: https://www.spaceweather.com/glossary/flareclasses.html. Finally the SWPC 3-day forecast for solar activity is provided at the end of each entry.

More information about solar flares can be found at these websites: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/phenomena; https://www.space.com/solar-flares-effects-classification-formation; and https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/en/solar-activity/solar-flares.html. I have also found the following website to be very useful: spaceweatherlive.com

The solar images are recorded through a Meade 16-inch f/8 Cassegrain telescope equipped with a 0.3 Å Hydrogen-alpha filter and a 16-bit, 3326×2504 pixel SBIG STF-8300 CCD camera. The aperture of the scope is stopped to 4-7/8 inch by an energy-rejection filter, which renders the system an f/26. A neutral density filter is added to bring the sunlight intensity down by 90%. Each image is automatically dark-subtracted as it is saved and each exposure is 0.1 second long for the red off-band continuum images and 0.5 second for the on-band H-alpha images. Flat field images are taken at periodic intervals throughout the observing session and are obtained by training the telescope to focus near the center of the Sun’s disk. Five images are then taken while dithering the frame 1′ to 5′ N,S,E, and W. The idea is to try to get images that are slightly blurred (either due to seeing or scope motion) and off set from each other. A set of 30 bias images (0-second exposures with the dome closed and scope parked) are taken at the end of each observing session.

Select images are processed for further study and display. A program called MaxIM DL is used to do basic calibration (bias-subtraction and flat field correction), and the levels are adjusted for optimum display contrast. Choice images are then selected for online display. All of the images are archived in their raw FITS format, sorted by date, and backed up twice. At a later time we can mass process these and make them available for scientific use. Inquiries can be made of Brian Cudnik, at bmcudnik@pvamu.edu, or Premkumar Saganti, at pbsaganti@pvamu.edu.]

NOTE: Images of the March 14, 2025 total lunar eclipse are posted at https://www.pvamu.edu/pvso/cosmic-corner/total-lunar-eclipse-1/

NOTE: Images of the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse are posted at https://www.pvamu.edu/pvso/cosmic-corner/partial-solar-eclipse/.

Observations have been conducted since then at the PVSO, primarily with H-alpha. There was a period of time when magnetospheric data were collected but the work had primarily been regional H-alpha images of active regions and filaments. Regular observations continued through the mid-2000’s, then became more sporadic through 2015. After a five-year pause, regular observations resumed (in their current format) on 8 January 2020.

February 12, 2026

Solar activity continued at moderate levels through early today with two M1.4 flares: one at 13:12 UT on 11 February, and the second at 2:40 UT today, 12 February, from newly-departed AR 14366. This region was the source of six C-class flares. Since the second M1.4 flare, solar activity returned to low levels, with the background X-ray levels steadily sloping downward as AR 14366 rotates further beyond the west limb. AR 14373 has shown some modest growth and additional sunspots; ARs 14369 and 14371 showed some minor decay. The rest of the regions were unchanged.

The first column below includes red continuum images, each 0.09 sec exposure; and the second column hosts H-alpha line center images, each 0.15 sec exposure. Each of the images covers 7.8’x7.8′ on the sky, unless indicated otherwise. Celestial north is up, west is right in each image.

The AR 14369/14368 pair (upper right) is about to rotate out of view.	This zone of the Sun has been quiet.
AR 14373 (above) is the only spot group in a large “sea” of featureless solar disk.	AR 14373 has remained quiet all day.
This 7.8’x11.4′ image depicts AR 14374 (right of image center) and 14375 (upper left) as they rotate into better view.	This 7.8’x11.4′ image shows the same view as at left, but in H-alpha. This zone of the Sun remains quiet as well.

Solar activity is expected to be low, with a slight chance for M-class flares through 14 February.

February 11, 2026

Solar activity remained at moderate levels today. The largest was an M1.2 at 13:12 UT today from AR 14366. This region also produced a long duration, double-peaked M1.1 event, first peak at 0:44 UT. AR 14366 also produced eight C-class flares yesterday and today. AR 14366 has rotated over the west limb of the Sun and it was not visible either visually or in images taken this afternoon. Some modest limb activity in H-alpha marked the location of the region just over the solar limb. AR 14371 , 14373, and 14374 each produced C-class flares yesterday into this afternoon. AR 14371 and 14369 are in decay, with the other numbered active regions remaining stable. There is another region (AR 14375) that rotated into view behind AR 14374, but this was quiet.

A large filament in the northwest quadrant of the solar disk lifted off and disappeared around 19:10 UT on 10 February. There was possibly another eruption from the west southwest limb of the Sun, seen around 19:24 UT and superimposed on the eruption from the filament. It is yet to be determined if all this has generated a coronal mass ejection.

The first column below includes red continuum images, each 0.09 sec exposure; and the second column hosts H-alpha line center images, each 0.15 sec exposure. Each of the four images covers 7.8’x11.4′ on the sky. Celestial north is up, west is right in each image.

AR 14369 (upper most right), 14368 (upper right) and 14371 (just below and left of image center) appear modest in this view.	This zone of the Sun had been mostly quiet, except for an occasional C-class flare from AR 14371.
AR 14374 (upper left) and 14373 (lower right) appear rather simple in this view.	Each of these regions have produced low-level C-class flares today and yesterday.

Solar activity is expected to be low through 13 February. There remains a slight chance (10-15%) for an M-class and/or X-class flaring from over the western limb by AR 14366

February 9, 2026

Solar activity reached moderate levels yesterday and early today, before returning to low levels all day today. AR 14366 produced two M-class flares, the largest of which was an M2.8 at 2:27 UT today (9 February). The region continues to be the largest, most magnetically complex on the visible solar disk, but it is approaching the western limb. It has also been on a slow decay. AR 14374 rotated into view and produced a C6.6 flare at 8:36 UT on the 9th. This, and the other active regions on the solar disk were largely stable. AR 14366, beside the M2.8 today, produced 6 C-class flares, the most recent of which occurred at 15:36 UT. Then it went quiet for the rest of the day (through 23:15 UT). AR 14374 produced another C-class flare, a C3.0 at 18:17 UT today.

AR 14366 (right, near edge of Sun) prepares to rotate out of view. The remaining spots are (top to bottom) AR 14367, 14369, and 14368.	This zone of the Sun, as well as the rest of the Sun, has been mainly quiet for the duration of our long observing session today.
AR 14374 (left, near edge of Sun) and 14373 (right) are the only spotted regions on the eastern half of the solar disk.	AR 14374 (near the edge of the Sun) produced two C-class flares so far today.

Solar activity is expected to be moderate with M-class flares likely and a chance for an X-class flare from AR 14366 through 11 February.

February 6, 2026

Solar activity returned to low levels today. Since the last of a series of M-class flares (an M1.1 at 22:18 UT yesterday, 5 February, from AR 14272, which has decayed to plage), there has been no further M-class flare activity today, through 23:15 UT. The most powerful flare of yesterday was a long duration M2.7 at 4:41 UT on 5 February from AR 14366. This region continues to slowly decline in magnetic complexity and optical appearance and today’s activity level matches these observations. AR 14371, however, showed rapid growth and became more magnetically complex. AR 14362 has also grown some and together with AR 14371, was the source for most of the C- and M-class flares yesterday. Today, only C-class flares, mostly from AR 14366; the strongest was a C6.9 at 10:20 UT today, 6 February. All of the other visible spotted active regions (there are seven total) were stable or in decay.

A coronal mass ejection launched off the south/southwest limb at 15:48 UT on 5 February, likely from the M1.8/1N flare that was produced from AR 14362, which peaked at 15:13 UT on 5 February. We observed part of the tail end of this event. This CME may graze the Earth’s magnetic field anytime between late on 8 February and early on 9 February (UT).

Four spotted active regions (labeled) cross the center of the Solar disk.	AR 14366 (right) has become increasingly quiet, only producing a few C-class flares today.
The two spots in the upper right appear in the top image. The one near bottom, left of center, is AR 14371.	AR 14371 (left), and 14368 (upper right) along with a filament (bottom center). AR 14371 is becoming increasing

Solar activity is expected to be moderate to high due to continued M-class flaring with a chance for an X-class flare from AR 14366 through 8 February.

February 5, 2026

Solar activity was high due to the frequent occurrences of M-class flares from various regions today. There were ten M-class flares from three regions (AR 14362, 14366, and 14372). AR 14366 contributed most of these as it slowly decays and simplifies. AR 14369 grew some while 14370 decayed, and the remainder of the regions were stable or in decay.

We monitored AR 14366 for most of the day today. We managed to observe one M-class flare but the other M-class flares that occurred during the period were from AR 14362 (two events, an M1.8 and an M2.2). No further X-class flare has happened since the impulsive X4.2 at 12:13 UT on 4 February.

AR 14366 (larger spot group) is being trailed by 14367 (left).	AR 14366 has been the source of a couple M-class flares today.
Four spotted active regions are visible in this image.	This part of the Sun has been mainly quiet today.

Solar activity is expected to be moderate to high due to continued M-class flaring with a good chance for an X-class flare from AR 14366 through 7 February.

February 4, 2026

Solar activity remains at high levels due to the ongoing activity of AR 14366. It produced an X4.2 today at 12:12 UT today. This occurred nearly a day after an X1.5 flare at 14:08 UT on 3 February, followed by an M7.2. There has been a slight shrinkage in spot area, with the visual appearance of the spot group this morning being a little simpler than in previous days. It is by far the largest spot group of the 9 visible active regions, at 1100 MSH. AR 14372, in the southeast quadrant of the solar disk, emerged yesterday but is already in decay today. AR 14358 developed a few new sunspots after decaying to a spotless region yesterday. AR 14371 is showing growth, as is AR 14362. The rest of the active regions were stable or in slight decay.

A large filament slowly erupted from the northwest quadrant of the solar disk beginning at 4:00 UT yesterday, 3 February. This generated a CME that lifted off the northwest limb around 18:00 UT. Several other filaments are visible today across the solar disk, as well as a well developed hedgerow prominence on the east southeastern limb.

Observations resumed today but with glitches in communication between the mount and computer ongoing. AR 14366 produced an M1.8 flare at 15:34 UT, prior to our opening the dome at 17:00 UT. However, since opening and through our closure at 20:02 UT due to overspreading mid- to high-level clouds, solar activity dropped back to low levels. There had not been any further M-class activity since this morning’s M1.8, through 23:20 UT today (4 February).

AR 14366 is the largest spot group on the visible disk.	AR 14366 was the most active spot group, and had been for four days now.
Many small active regions trail AR 14366.	These regions have been comp

Solar activity is expected to be moderate to high due to continued M-class flaring with a good chance for an X-class flare from AR 14366 through 6 February.

February 2, 2026

Another attempt to collect solar observations was made this morning. The connection was successfully established with the mount and camera, but when commanded to slew to the Sun, the mount put itself in a safe mode and would not move. This error repeated for all three of the attempts made. We will be making further attempts to get the problem fixed Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

Solar activity has surged to very high levels in the last two days. A new spot group appeared on the Sun and grew explosively. It was invisible on the 28th of January, appeared as a simple pair of spots on the 29th, added new spots and began to fill in on the 30th; by the 31st it had grown dramatically and continued to do so through the 1st and 2nd of February. This is AR 14366, which, in the past 24 hours or so, produced 23 M-class flares and 4 X-class flares, the largest of which was an X8.1 that happened at 23:57 UT yesterday. The complex series of events launched a tangle of three coronal mass ejections into space, but they appear to be on track to mostly miss the Earth

This is an animated GIF image (click on the image for the animation) that shows the flare in action. It is an animated series of images taken in extreme ultraviolet light from the Solar Dynamics Observatory and posted to Spaceweather.com. Solar activity is expected to remain moderate through 4 February with frequent M-class flares (80% probability of occurrence) and occasional X-class flares (40 % probability of occurrence) due to AR 14366.

January 28, 2026

Solar activity reached has been low the last 7 days. The last X-class flare, an X1.9, was on 18 January; the last M-class flare, an M3.4, happened on 21 January. Unfortunately due to a malfunction in our system, we were unable to observe today after being offline for 9 days due to inclement weather. I have no information on when we will be able to remedy the issue, so for the foreseeable future, we will not be able to make further observations from the East Dome.

January 19, 2026

Solar activity reached high levels yesterday (18 January) as a result of a long-duration X1.9/3B flare from AR 14341. This event peaked at 18:09 UT on 18 January. This launched a coronal mass ejection that took only 25 hours to impact the Earth’s magnetic field, producing widespread bright aurorae in Europe. There are eleven spotted active regions on the Sun.

After the X1.9 flare, solar activity returned to moderate levels, before trending to low later in the day. AR 14345 produced an M1.1 flare at 11:19 UT on 19 January. It the produced 8 C-class flares, ranging from C2 to C8 throughout the day. Only one other region flared, AR 14342, producing a C2. AR 14341 remained quiet all day long.

The first column below includes red continuum images, each 0.15 sec exposure; and the second column hosts H-alpha line center images, each 0.15 sec exposure. Each of the images covers 7.8’x11.4′ on the sky, unless indicated otherwise. Celestial north is up, west is right in each image.

More spotted groups are visible on the Sun these days.	This zone on the Sun was rather active, with most of the flare activity coming from the small spot group below AR 14341.
Two spot groups are visible on this part of the Sun.	AR 14347 (single spot, left), and 14342 (just right of center).
Some additional spots trail the main centers of activity and are labeled above.	This zone of the solar disk, remains quiet for the time being.

Solar activity is likely to be moderate, with a slight chance of additional X-class flares through 21 January.

January 16, 2026

Solar activity was low. The largest flare so far today (through 22:30 UT, 16 Jan.) was a C6.6/SF from AR 14345, a newly formed region just south of AR 14341. AR 14341 continues to be the largest (420 MSH) and most complex (beta-gamma-delta magnetic configuration) active region on the visible solar disk but it also remained quiet all day. It only produced two optical subflares and a C1 so far today.

The first column below includes red continuum images, each 0.09 sec exposure; and the second column hosts H-alpha line center images, each 0.15 sec exposure. Each of the images covers 7.8’x11.4′ on the sky, unless indicated otherwise. Celestial north is up, west is right in each image.

AR 14336 departs over the west limb. It is the second largest spot at 150 MSH	AR 14336 (and this zone of the Sun) has been completely quiet today. Two filaments remain visible north of the region.
AR 14343 lower part) and 14340 (upper right). AR 14343 continues to grow while 14340 continues to decay.	AR 14343 was the source of 2 C1 flares and one c4 flare today. This was one of the most active spot groups today.
AR 14342 (top center), 14347 (single spot near limb, upper left) and 14341 (bottom center).	These regions were relatively quiet today. A filament is visible toward the right of the image.

Solar activity is expected to be low, with a chance for M-class flares and a slight chance for X-class flares through 18 January.

January 15, 2026

Solar activity was at moderate levels due to an M1.6 flare that happened at 20:33 UTC on 14 January from AR 14341. This region also produced a C9.7 flare at 6:36 UTC on 15 January. Since then, and through 00:10 UTC, 16 January, solar activity returned to low levels, with only infrequent low-level C-class flaring. AR 14343 has grown quite a bit since yesterday, but was otherwise inactive. A Coronal Mass Ejection came from the area of AR 14340, but the bulk of this debris has been launched northward and is expected to miss the Earth.

The first column below includes red continuum images, each 0.09 sec exposure; and the second column hosts H-alpha line center images, each 0.15 sec exposure. Each of the images covers 7.8’x11.4′ on the sky, unless indicated otherwise. Celestial north is up, west is right in each image.

The lone spot AR 14336 is rotating toward the limb of the Sun.	This image also includes a filament (top center), along with an inactive AR 14336.
AR 14340 (top center) and 14343 (below left), the latter of which has grown since yesterday.	This zone of the sun remains quiet, with 14340 nearly disappearing in H-alpha.
AR 14341 (below left), 14342 (upper right) and 14343 (lower right),	AR 14341 (lower left) and 14342 (upper left), along with a filament (just right of image center).

Solar activity is expected to be low, with a 25-30% chance for M-class flares from 15 to 17 January.

January 14, 2026

Solar activity is now back to moderate levels. The largest flare over the last 7 days was an M3.3 at 23:10 UTC on 11 July from AR 14341, which was behind the solar limb at the time. Then there was a C9.6 at 3:50 UTC on 14 January. Just happened was an M1.6/1F at 20:32 UT from AR 14341. Slight decay occurred in AR 14334 (barely visible as a single spot) and 14336 (a large spot with a few attendants trailing behind). AR 14340, which emerged several days ago, has also demonstrated some decay. AR 14341 and 14342 are situated along the eastern limb of the Sun and contributed almost all of the flaring activity over the last two days.

The first column below includes red continuum images, each 0.09 sec exposure; and the second column hosts H-alpha line center images, each 0.15 sec exposure. Each of the images covers 7.8’x11.4′ on the sky, unless indicated otherwise. Celestial north is up, west is right in each image.

This active region sported many more spots a few days ago but has decayed to what is visible in this image.	AR 14336 along with a single filament (upper left quadrant of image). This part of the Sun has been quiet.
AR 14340 nearing the solar central meridian.	AR 14340 (top center) has been quiet. In the lower left corner, the bright spot marks another region emerging into view.
AR 14341 (bottom) and AR 14342 (top) are rotating into view. Small spots from a newly emerging sunspot group are visible in the lower right corner of the image.	AR 14341 and 14342 as they rotate into view, led by a filament (just right of image center). A new sunspot group is emerging (lower right corner).

Solar activity is expected to be low, with a 25% chance for M-class flares from 14 to 16 January.

Solar Observations – 2026

The Latest Solar Images

NOTE: Images of the March 14, 2025 total lunar eclipse are posted at https://www.pvamu.edu/pvso/cosmic-corner/total-lunar-eclipse-1/

NOTE: Images of the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse are posted at https://www.pvamu.edu/pvso/cosmic-corner/partial-solar-eclipse/.

February 12, 2026

February 11, 2026

February 9, 2026

February 6, 2026

February 5, 2026

February 4, 2026

February 2, 2026

January 28, 2026

January 19, 2026

January 16, 2026

January 15, 2026

January 14, 2026