A colossal solar eruption has grabbed the attention of astronomers worldwide. On August 21, the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) recorded a fast-moving coronal mass ejection (CME) blasting away from the farside of the Sun.

The CME expanded into a full “halo” around the solar disk, a sign of its immense scale.

Analysis of radio emissions from shock waves within the CME revealed its speed at nearly 1,200 km/s, a velocity considered extremely fast, though not the fastest ever observed.

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Were Earth in its path, scientists say, such an event could have triggered a major geomagnetic storm capable of disrupting satellites, power grids, and communication systems.

Nasa’s models predict the CME will collide with Mars on August 25th. Researchers believe the impact could ignite widespread ultraviolet auroras across the Martian atmosphere, a reminder that space weather affects other planets as vividly as our own.

The origin of the blast is linked to activity on the Sun’s farside. Using helioseismic techniques — a method akin to ultrasound imaging — scientists detected echoes of a large sunspot near the eruption site. This region is currently hidden from Earth’s direct view but is expected to rotate onto the Earth-facing side of the Sun within a few days.

This raises a new concern: the same sunspot cluster that hurled this massive CME toward Mars could soon direct similar activity toward our planet. Space weather agencies are closely watching the region as it comes into view.

WILL IT HIT EARTH?

Fortunately, this particular eruption will not strike Earth.

For now, Mars will bear the brunt of the solar storm, giving scientists a unique opportunity to study its atmospheric effects while Earth receives a temporary reprieve. But experts caution: the next blast could be ours to face.

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Published By: Sibu Kumar Tripathi Published On: Aug 22, 2025