Strong Solar Flare Erupts Causing Deep Shortwave Radio Blackouts Over the USA; Another CME Coming Towards Earth

A strong solar flare hit our planet earlier this week and another one is expected today!

Extreme Solar Flare Causes Blackouts

NASA confirmed that an extreme X2.2 solar flare erupted on the Sun on Friday (Feb. 17). It was reportedly very strong. The ultraviolet and X-radiation ionized the top of Earth's atmosphere causing deep shortwave radio blackouts over the United States.

Mariners, aviators and ham radio operators may have a loss of signal and other unusual propagation effects at frequencies below 30 MHz for over an hour after the solar flare.

Amateur radio astronomer Thomas Ashcraft of New Mexico did not expect the X-flare. He was in the perfect position to observe it and was able to record the solar storm.

According to him, the sun was right in his radio telescope. beam when the flare burst and his spectrograph captured the full force of the resulting radio burst that occurred.

It was reportedly a Type II solar radio burst and its shock waves rippled through the Sun's atmosphere, creating plasma oscillations that release shortwave energy. Shortly after it, the Sun turned into a natural radio transmitter, according to Space Weather.

Solar Storm Expected Today

Astronomers are keeping a close eye on the massive solar flare. NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center issued G1-Minor and G2-Moderate Geomagnetic Storm Watches until Saturday (Feb. 18) due to the continuing effects of the Coronal Mass Ejections (CME).

A coronal mass ejection (CME) was observed on the Sun Wednesday and officials warned that it could impact Earth late Friday morning or Friday afternoon until Saturday.

According to the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), the geomagnetic storm may affect satellite operations and result in power-grid fluctuations. Migratory animals could also feel the solar storm. Northern lights may also be visible farther south than usual, including northern Michigan and Maine.

GI-Minor conditions were likely on Friday and G2-Moderate conditions were expected Saturday as the main driver of CME arrives on Earth, New York Post added.

A G2-level solar storm could affect high-latitude power systems triggering voltage alarms, long-duration storms and damages transformers. Also, corrective actions may be necessary for spacecraft orbiting Earth.

A G2 solar storm could also affect radio and GPS signals. Northern lights could also appear farther south, including New York state and Idaho.

Northern Lights From CME Wednesday

A spectacular display of Northern lights was observed across the night sky at the summit of Mount Washington early Wednesday. Glowing hues of yellow, green and red covered the skies from about 1 a.m. to 4: 30 a.m, according to Mount Washington Observatory, Boston Globe reported.

The Northern Lights or aurora borealis are the results of charged particles carried by solar winds reacting with the atmosphere. According to Lourdes B. Avilés, a professor of meteorology at the Plymouth State University, it's a common event a few times a year. It needs clear skies to be visible, which is challenging for Mount Washington, but it has an unobstructed, northward-facing view.

Avilés added that it must be completely dark for the Northern lights to be visible. Otherwise, they may just look like white fog.

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