Produced by: BT Desk
The sun unleashed a powerful X-class solar flare from sunspot AR3842, clocking in at X7.1, the second most intense in seven years. This event could lead to a geomagnetic storm on Earth later this week.
Along with the flare, a coronal mass ejection (CME) erupted, sending plasma and magnetic particles toward Earth. It's expected to strike on Friday around 4 p.m., potentially causing disruptions.
The CME is predicted to trigger a G3-class geomagnetic storm, one of the stronger categories, which could affect power grids, satellite communications, and navigation systems.
The geomagnetic storm could also supercharge aurora displays, making these natural light shows visible much farther south than usual, creating spectacular views in unexpected regions.
An earlier M-class flare from the same sunspot on Monday caused a temporary radio blackout across large parts of the Pacific, including Hawaii, showcasing the solar flare’s reach.
This X7.1 flare is the strongest solar event this year and the second most powerful since 2017, with the potential to cause significant space weather effects on Earth this weekend.
The CME is slated to impact Earth’s magnetic field on Friday afternoon, potentially creating stunning auroras but also posing risks to technology-dependent systems.
A G3-class storm, while not the strongest, is still potent and can cause disruption to GPS signals, satellite operations, and even power grid stability.
This solar flare and CME originated from sunspot AR3842, which has been active this week, releasing both X-class and M-class flares and showcasing the sun’s unpredictable behavior.
While geomagnetic storms can cause disruptions, meteorologists are monitoring the event closely to mitigate risks to satellite communications, navigation systems, and power grids.