On September 30, 2026, sunspot region AR4535 (also tracked as SIDC Sunspot Group 962) produced a strong C8.6 solar flare that peaked at 02:46 UTC. The region had developed increased magnetic complexity (beta- gamma configuration), which made the near- M- class event notable after a period of relatively quiet solar activity.

The flare was associated with a coronal mass ejection (CME). SOHO/LASCO C2 imagery first detected the CME around 03:12 UTC; it had an angular width of roughly 70 degrees and a projected speed of about 450 km/s, along with Type II and Type IV radio emissions. Modeling indicates this CME is mostly westward-directed and is expected to miss Earth or deliver only a weak glancing blow (possibly around October 4 at the earliest).

Separately, a filament eruption on September 28 produced a partial-halo CME that is forecast to deliver a glancing blow to Earth around October 2. NOAA SWPC issued a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm watch for that date, with possible elevated Kp values (highest forecast three-hour Kp around 4.67 / G1 levels in some windows). High- latitude aurora is the most likely visible effect if conditions align; mid-latitude chances remain limited.

Overall solar activity has remained low (mostly C- and B- class flares), with AR4535 and a newer region (AR4544) among the numbered groups on the disk. Forecasters expect continued low activity with a chance of additional C- class flares and a slight chance of M-class events in the coming days. Geomagnetic conditions were quiet through September 30, October 1 under ambient solar wind, with the main potential disturbance tied to the September 28 CME arrival.

The WooGlobe reference (WGA970410) and AI/stock-footage disclosure match typical space-weather video explainers summarizing these events. For real- time updates, check sources such as NOAA SWPC, SIDC, EarthSky’s daily sun news, or SolarHam.