Monster X-class Solar Flare Will Trigger Auroras and Major Geomagnetic Storms: How Did This Happen?

Solar flares come in different categories; X-flare is the largest and strongest. It is so powerful that it can cause radio blackouts.

Monster X-Class Solar Flare

On Dec. 14 at 7:02 p.m., a 2.8 magnitude X-class flare exploded from sunspot AR3514. It is the most powerful solar flare in more than six years since an X8.2 magnitude flare erupted on Sept. 6, 2017.

The X-class outburst has already caused a large plasma plume and widespread radio blackouts. Days after the incident, Earth was predicted to receive a coronal mass ejection (CME).

Solar flares can send coronal mass ejections (CMEs), slower-moving clouds of magnetized plasma, into space than the initial radiation burst. Scientists believed the most recent flare caused a CME, even though they were initially dubious.

A portion of the CME was expected to strike on Dec. 17 at about 4.7 million mph (7.6 million km/h). According to Spaceweather.com, it may cause a moderate to significant (G2 or G3) geomagnetic storm that might disrupt satellites and certain ground-based infrastructure and produce vivid auroral displays.

In the upcoming days, there's a probability that the same sunspot will produce another X-class flare. A few hours before the X2.8 flare, the black patch released a large M-class flare below X-class. When sunspots begin to erupt numerous times like this, there are usually more to follow. There's a probability that the same sunspot will produce another X-class flare, especially since the sun is still approaching its solar maximum.

Solar flares are categorized by scientists based on how brilliant they are in X-ray wavelengths. There are three categories, which are as follows:

X-class flares. They are significant and key occurrences that have the potential to start global radio blackouts and protracted radiation storms in the high atmosphere.

M-class flares. They are medium-sized and typically impact the polar areas of Earth with temporary radio blackouts. Occasionally, an M-class flare is followed by a minor radiation storm.

C-class flares. They are tiny and have negligible effects on Earth.

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How Solar Flares Affect Earth

Flares of various kinds, especially X-class, impact Earth, satellites, and even people on board. Because they are so feeble, C-flares have little to no impact on the earth.

Powerful M- and X-class flares can cause coronal mass ejections and significant releases of the sun's magnetic field and plasma. Geomagnetic storms may arise from this behavior, which can upset Earth's magnetosphere. Auroras can be seen nearer the equator during these geomagnetic storms than they can be in calm weather.

According to a NASA statement, a massive solar flare that was part of a coronal mass ejection in 1989 struck Earth and caused a 12-hour power blackout that affected the entire province of Quebec in Canada. The solar eruption sparked a geomagnetic storm that resulted in northern lights or aurora borealis.

The colorful night sky had been visible in the southern states of Florida. Cuba also witnessed the northern lights or aurora borealis.

Solar radiation storms can release fast-moving charged particles with high energy, posing a threat to astronauts and spacecraft in Earth's orbit. All extravehicular activities are suspended, and astronauts on the International Space Station are advised to seek cover during these storms. Satellite systems susceptible to radiation are turned off until the radiation storm has passed.

On the side of Earth facing the sun, M-class and X-class flares during an eruption can also result in modest to significant radio blackouts. Radio blackouts mostly affect the High Frequency (HF) band (3-30 MHz) radio communications and sometimes the Very High Frequency (VHF) band (30-300 MHz and higher).