The sun has somewhat surprised forecasters today with a dramatic X-class solar flare from a newly emerging sunspot region. The intense solar flare originated from sunspot region AR4046 and was accompanied by a spectacular filament eruption and coronal mass ejection (CME) — an expulsion of plasma and magnetic field from the sun.

An unexpected X-class solar flare from a new sunspot region caused widespread radio blackouts across the Americas today

The UK will be treated to a partial solar eclipse this morning, here is when you can expect to see it across the country

Even if the specific monthly peak of the cycle has passed, it doesn't mean solar activity is over. Strong solar activity persists for a year or two beyond the maximum date, so we still have some time to enjoy sunspots, coronal mass ejections, and any geomagnetic storms and aurora shows associated with them.