Massive Solar Explosion Hits Venus: Scientists Warn More Eruptions Could Target Earth Soon

A colossal explosion on the farside of the Sun has unleashed one of the most powerful coronal mass ejections (CMEs) of the current solar cycle, sending shockwaves through the solar system and striking Venus head-on. The eruption, detected late on October 21, has raised fresh concerns among scientists about potential Earth-directed storms in the coming weeks.

According to data from the US Air Force, early radio measurements revealed Type II emissions traveling at an astonishing 2,474 km/s — classifying the CME as one of the fastest and most energetic solar blasts in recent years. Only a handful of events, including the historic 1972 solar storm and 2017 X8-class flare, have surpassed this velocity.

However, updated models from NASA’s Moon to Mars Space Weather Analysis Office revised the CME’s average speed to around 1,320 km/s, still intense enough to cause significant solar and atmospheric disturbances.

☀️ Impact on Venus

NASA’s ENLIL model shows the CME’s shockwave hitting Venus squarely while missing Earth. Because Venus lacks a global magnetic field, it likely experienced atmospheric erosion, with charged solar particles stripping ions from its upper atmosphere — a phenomenon previously observed during major solar encounters.

The eruption originated from the region of old sunspot AR4246, a highly active area that rotated out of Earth’s view just last week. Earlier, this same sunspot had produced several Earth-directed CMEs, which led to minor geomagnetic storms and auroras across the northern hemisphere.

🌍 Will Earth Be Hit Next?

As of now, the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center has confirmed no immediate threat to Earth from this particular blast. Yet, scientists are maintaining heightened vigilance as AR4246 is expected to rotate back into Earth’s view by early November, potentially setting the stage for more Earth-facing eruptions.

Experts warn that the solar maximum — the Sun’s peak period of magnetic activity — is approaching its expected climax in late 2025, when such explosive solar events could become more frequent and more intense.

Astronomers worldwide are continuing to monitor the Sun’s activity to forecast possible impacts on Earth’s satellites, communications, and power grids.

Originally published on newsworldstime.com.