​SOLAR-1 is the new name for the U.S. space weather monitoring satellite formerly known as SWFO-L1 (Space Weather Follow-On L1). It is described as America’s first satellite designed exclusively for continuous, operational space weather observations, positioned about 1.5 million kilometers from Earth near the Sun–Earth L1 Lagrange point to monitor the solar wind and solar activity in real time.  These data support forecasting of solar storms that can affect power grids, communications, navigation systems, and spacecraft operations.
 
Before the rename to SOLAR-1, SWFO-L1 was the name of a NOAA spacecraft mission dedicated to continuous operational monitoring of space weather from the Sun–Earth L1 point. It was launched into orbit on September 23, 2025 and was conceived as the deep-space element of NOAA’s Space Weather Follow On program, designed to ensure continuity of critical measurements as older missions like ACE, DSCOVR, and SOHO age.  SWFO-L1 carries a suite of instruments (including a compact coronagraph, magnetometer, supra-thermal ion sensor, and solar wind plasma sensor) to observe coronal mass ejections, solar wind, energetic particles, and magnetic fields in real time.  
 
References
(2026, January 27). SWFO-L1, Renamed SOLAR-1, Reaches Final Destination One Million Miles from Earth. National Evironmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service. https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/news/swfo-l1-renamed-solar-1-reaches-final-destination-one-million-miles-earth
 
(2026, January 22). Space Weather Follow On-Lagrange 1. In Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Weather_Follow_On-Lagrange_1
 
(2025, September 25). SWFO-L1. NASA. https://science.nasa.gov/mission/swfo-l1/

​A major space weather event in mid‑January 2026 produced highly unusual, low‑latitude aurora displays across both hemispheres, with activity still ongoing around January 22. Around January 19–20, 2026, the Sun produced one of the strongest solar radiation storms in more than 20 years, accompanied by an X‑class flare and fast coronal mass ejections (CMEs). This drove a severe geomagnetic storm, reaching G4 level on the NOAA scale (Kp around 7–8), which is strong enough to push auroras far from the usual polar regions. Although the peak had passed by January 21–22, forecasts still called for elevated auroral activity and further displays on the evenings of January 21–22 due to ongoing disturbed solar wind conditions.
 
Spectacular Aurora borealis was reported in places like Iceland, northern Europe, and northern North America; as far south into the continental United States. Strongest views were in Alaska, Canada, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Maine, and others extending to Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Colorado, and even Kansas. In Europe as far as UK (especially Scotland, northern England, Northern Ireland), Germany (northern regions), Netherlands, France, Austria (e.g., Sonntagberg), Iceland, and northern Scandinavia. Aurora australis was visible across the UK (especially Scotland, northern England, Northern Ireland), Germany (northern regions), Netherlands, France, Austria (e.g., Sonntagberg), Iceland, and northern Scandinavia, making this one of the most widespread Southern Lights events in decades.
 
The event was driven not just by a typical flare/CME but by a rare, intense solar radiation storm: ultra‑fast, high‑flux solar energetic particles that reached Earth in less than a day, then combined with subsequent CMEs and high‑speed solar wind streams. These conditions strongly disturbed Earth’s magnetosphere for multiple 3‑hour intervals, sustaining bright, dynamic auroras with extensive red and purple components and rapid motion. The radiation and geomagnetic storms raised concerns for satellites, power systems, and aviation, including GPS degradation and radio blackouts on some routes, though no globally catastrophic failures were reported. For observers, the proximity to a new Moon on January 18 provided dark skies, making the auroras exceptionally vivid even in many light‑polluted areas.
 
References
Dobrijvic, D. (2026, January 21). Severe G4 Geomagnetic Storm Sparks Jaw-Dropping Northern Lights Worldwide. SPACE.Com.
 
Siegel E. (2026, January 21). How a Solar Radiation Storm Created January 2026’s Aurora. Big Think.
 
Strickland, A. (2026, January 20). Sun Releases the Largest Solar Radiation Storm in Over 20 Years, Forecasters Say. CNN Science.
 
Todd, I. (2026, January 21). Stunning Aurora Displays Predicted Tonight as Severe Solar Storm Hits Earth. Here’s How to See Them. BBC Sky at Night Magazine.