Key Point Summary – Explosions from the sun

• NASA releases new video showing explosions from the sun in rare clarity
• The PUNCH mission tracks solar eruptions using four synchronized spacecraft
• Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) can disrupt satellites and power grids on Earth
• The footage reveals how solar winds and the corona interact as one system
• The sun is at solar maximum, increasing space weather risks
• PUNCH may help deliver earlier storm warnings through 3D monitoring
• Strong auroras in 2024 were linked to similar CME activity

NASA Tracks Explosions From The Sun In New Mission

NASA has released breathtaking video of explosions from the sun, revealing the power of Coronal Mass Ejections as they burst into space. These massive eruptions of charged particles were recorded between May and June by the PUNCH mission.

PUNCH stands for Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere. It was launched in March and includes four suitcase-sized satellites that orbit together. Each one carries a unique imager. Together, they provide a full view of the sun’s outer layers.

With new technology, PUNCH delivers a 3D look at how solar storms develop and travel. That’s key to predicting dangerous space weather before it reaches Earth.

CMEs in Motion: Why These Blasts Matter

The video shows CMEs—huge blasts of solar plasma—racing away from the sun in all directions. These explosions from the sun may look distant, but their effects are very real.

When CMEs hit Earth, they can cause geomagnetic storms. That means stunning auroras, but also real risks. GPS systems may fail. Power grids can shut down. Satellites could be damaged or lost.

PUNCH’s images help scientists see these threats early. The mission uses wide and narrow field imagers to track each CME’s path. A special coronagraph blocks the sun’s glare, making faint solar wind structures visible.

Explosions From The Sun Drive Space Weather Fears

Craig DeForest, lead investigator for PUNCH, said the mission is already proving valuable. He called the initial results “game-changing.” According to him, PUNCH provides a view of the corona and solar wind as one connected system.

That kind of perspective wasn’t possible before. Now, scientists may have a better chance at forecasting CMEs and preparing for their impacts.

As the sun continues its solar maximum phase, these events are becoming more common. Solar Cycle 25, which began in 2019, peaked in 2024. During that time, Earth experienced some of the most intense auroras in 500 years.

What Comes Next For Solar Observation

DeForest said the best is still ahead. Once PUNCH’s spacecraft reach their final formation and ground systems are fully calibrated, the mission will track explosions from the sun in full 3D.

That means we’ll be able to follow solar storms from their origin to their destination—offering early warnings and potential protection for our planet’s technology.

Thanks to this breakthrough, we’re no longer just reacting to space weather. We’re starting to predict it.

And as the sun continues to roar, we’ll be watching every flare, every burst, and every explosion.