The probes registered it by accident. An extraordinary phenomenon was heading towards Earth

Scientists have observed significant changes in a magnetic cloud emitted by the Sun before it reaches Earth, affecting space weather. Two spacecraft, Solar Orbiter and Wind, recorded a 21% increase in the cloud's size and a decrease in its expansion speed during their observations. This phenomenon, termed superexpansion, also showed a weakening of the magnetic field within the cloud. The findings suggest that solar wind interactions and pressure differences play a role in these changes, impacting predictions of potential geomagnetic storm effects.