Biggest solar flare in 10 years hits Earth, more to come. Know about geomagnetic storms that disturb our planet

The sun emitted a very strong solar flare on Tuesday after Earth was hit by severe solar storms that led to dazzling northern lights in different places, reports 'Fox News'. It is considered the biggest solar flare since 2005. Earlier, the Space Weather Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted the solar flare. It has now taken to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter to warn that it is "not done yet."

REGION 3664 NOT DONE YET! PRODUCES X8.8 FLARE...LARGEST OF THE SOLAR CYCLE! pic.twitter.com/NJZUdRCrt1

— NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) May 14, 2024

More geomagnetic storms?

Earlier on May 10, issuing a Geomagnetic Storm Warning, NOAA said that additional solar eruptions could cause geomagnetic storm conditions to persist through the weekend.

Solar flare hits Earth

According to the NOAA, the first of several CMEs reached Earth on Friday, May 10 at 12:37 pm EDT. It was very strong and SWPC quickly issued a series of geomagnetic storm warnings. SWPC observed G4 conditions at 1:39 pm EDT (G3 at 1:08 pm EDT).
This storm is ongoing.

The Sun emitted a strong solar flare on May 14, 2024, peaking at 12:51pm ET. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured an image of the event, which was classified as X8.7. https://t.co/njaYS2IutE pic.twitter.com/oIJn2gmIUF

— NASA Sun & Space (@NASASun) May 14, 2024

Biggest solar flare in 10 years

According to 'Fox Weather', the X8.7 flare was seen blasting out of the active sunspot region of the Sun responsible for the recent solar weather. It also caused the dazzling display of Northern Lights that stretched across the nation on Friday night.

The SWPC also said that 'Region 3664' produced yet another X-ray flare after it moved beyond the Western solar limb. It said further, "This time, it was an X8.7 flare, the largest of this solar cycle."

What is a solar flare?

A solar flare of Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) is an explosion of plasma and magnetic fields from the sun’s corona. It causes geomagnetic storms when it is directed at Earth. Geomagnetic storms can impact infrastructure in near-Earth orbit and on Earth’s surface. It can disrupt communications, the electric power grid, navigation, radio and satellite operations.

With the recent space weather activity, you may be confused by some of the terminology. Solar flares are energetic explosions from the Sun & can cause radio blackouts from minutes to hours. https://t.co/5JARDuzzAz pic.twitter.com/O7RLJRLQva

— NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) May 14, 2024

FAQs:

When did the biggest solar flare in 10 years hit the Earth?
The first of several CMEs reached Earth on Friday, May 10 at 12:37 pm EDT. It was very strong and considered to be the biggest flare since 2005. This storm is ongoing and more may be coming.

What is a solar flare?
A solar flare of Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) is an explosion of plasma and magnetic fields from the sun’s corona. It causes geomagnetic storms when it is directed at Earth. Geomagnetic storms can impact infrastructure in near-Earth orbit and on Earth’s surface