As the Sun has unleashed a strong X-class solar flare, solar activity is expected to hit Earth today with a severe geomagnetic storm.
Solar Storm Alert: Powerful Solar Flares and Potential Geomagnetic Disturbances
Space weather experts have revealed that a strong X1.6-class solar flare spewed by the Sun a few days back, originating from active sunspot AR3663, is heading towards Earth. Recent updates from SpaceWeather.com and NOAA forecast have raised alarms about potential solar activity that could impact Earth’s geomagnetic field and radio communication. With a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) on its way, here’s what you need to know about the current solar weather conditions.
Sunspot AR3663, which didn’t exist at the beginning of May, has rapidly evolved into a significant solar feature. Now, it spans an area ten times wider than Earth and is emitting powerful solar flares, spaceweather.com reported. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured a four-day movie showcasing the sunspot’s development, revealing a mixed-polarity ‘beta-gamma-delta’ magnetic field, indicating instability and potential for explosive X-class flares.
AR3663 has already unleashed an X1.6-class flare on May 3rd and nearly another (M9.1 on May 4th), with the likelihood of more flares over the upcoming weekend. While NASA and NOAA models predict that the bulk of the CME will pass north of our planet, its southern part is expected to graze Earth by late May 5th.
NOAA Forecast
According to NOAA’s forecast, G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storming is anticipated on May 5th, followed by G1-G2 (Minor-Moderate) storms on May 6th, triggered by the arrival of the CME from May 3rd. Additionally, R1-R2 (Minor-Moderate) radio blackouts are expected over the next three days due to the flare potential of multiple regions on the visible solar disk, with a chance for R3 (Strong) events.
This has been further communicated by space weather expert, Dr. Tamitha Skov on X, “A #solarstorm comes! NOAA & NASA predict the storm launched during the X1.6-flare will hit Earth late May 5. NASA indicates the shockwave will cause the main disruption, with the bulk of the storm missing us. Expect #aurora shows to reach mid-latitudes but quiet down quickly.”
Geomagnetic storms and radio blackouts resulting from solar activity can disrupt satellite operations, power grids, and radio communication systems.
