Three Solar Flares May Reach Earth Today

Solar Flares Headed for Earth

In statements from the US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA, it appears that the Earth will be hit by three solar flares today and tomorrow.

The flares, known as coronal mass ejections, occurred on the sun on the 13^th, 14^th and 15^th from an expanding sunspot known as sunspot 1158. The flare on the15th was the strongest seen in four years, is moving the fastest, and will likely join or pass the other two on its way here.

The magnetic field of the earth typically shields us from these CMEs and results in a show of light in the sky, referred to as the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis. While small minor CME activity interacts with the earth’s protective layer frequently, this larger disturbance should make the Aurora visible much farther south than usual.

Large CMEs like the three being reported can cause power disruptions and problems with telephone and satellite communications. Due to the increased reliance on GPS satellites for navigation by aircraft, their reliability is also a concern. In 1989, similar CME activity knocked out power for millions in Canada.