Strong Auroras Likely as Powerful Solar Flare Eruption Hurls Possible 'Cannibal CME' Toward Earth.

Strong Auroras Likely as Powerful Solar Flare Eruption Hurls Possible 'Cannibal CME' Toward Earth

A powerful solar flare erupted from the sun on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at 2:50 p.m. EST. The flare, classified as an M9.8, is the strongest of the year and is capable of producing severe geomagnetic storms.

The flare also produced a coronal mass ejection (CME), a cloud of super-hot plasma that is traveling toward Earth. The CME is expected to arrive at Earth on December 1, 2023.

If the CME hits Earth's magnetic field, it could produce a G3-class geomagnetic storm. This type of storm could cause power outages, satellite disruptions, and auroras as far south as the mid-latitudes.

What is a solar flare?

A solar flare is a sudden release of energy from the sun. Flares are caused by the release of magnetic energy that is stored in the sun's corona.

Flares are classified by their strength, which is measured on a scale of A to X. An M9.8 flare is the second-strongest type of flare.

What is a coronal mass ejection (CME)?

A CME is a cloud of super-hot plasma that is ejected from the sun. CMEs are caused by the same magnetic energy that causes solar flares.

CMEs can travel at speeds of up to 2 million miles per hour. When a CME hits Earth's magnetic field, it can cause geomagnetic storms.

What is a geomagnetic storm?

• A geomagnetic storm is a disturbance to Earth's magnetic field. Geomagnetic storms are caused by the interaction of CMEs with Earth's magnetic field.
• Geomagnetic storms can cause a variety of effects, including power outages, satellite disruptions, and auroras.

What are auroras?

• Auroras are displays of light in the sky that are caused by the interaction of charged particles from the sun with Earth's atmosphere.
• Auroras are most commonly seen near the poles, but they can be seen at lower latitudes during strong geomagnetic storms.

What can we expect from the upcoming solar storm?

• The upcoming solar storm is expected to produce a G3-class geomagnetic storm. This type of storm could cause power outages, satellite disruptions, and auroras as far south as the mid-latitudes.
• Aurora watchers should be on high alert for the next few days. The best time to see auroras is during the dark hours.

Here are some resources for more information on solar flares and geomagnetic storms:

Space Weather Prediction Center: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/

SpaceWeather.com: https://spaceweather.com/

Aurora Forecast: https://www.auroraforecast.com/