Biggest solar flare since 2017 erupts from sun and Earth is in the firing line

[usonian]

Cross-posted from Science forum

On Oct. 3, the sun released the most powerful solar flare this solar cycle, a colossal X9.05 eruption.

This follows a flare from the same sunspot group on Oct. 1.

Expect auroras this weekend.

https://www.space.com/most-powerful-solar-flare-this-solar-cycle-x-9-earth-firing-line

The sun has just unleashed its most powerful solar flare this cycle, a colossal X-class eruption.

The solar flare emanated from the sunspot group AR3842, which has made headlines before. On Oct. 1, the same sunspot region fired off a powerful X7.1 solar flare and unleashed a coronal mass ejection (CME) — a plume of plasma and magnetic field — which is currently barreling toward Earth.


An Earth-directed CME did indeed follow the monster flare, space weather forecaster and meteorologist Sara Housseal confirmed in a post on X. This could be excellent news for aurora chasers, as CMEs can trigger geomagnetic storms, which in turn can result in dramatically boosted auroral displays. "As of right now, I would anticipate an impact at Earth late 5th — early 6th," Housseal wrote.

The incoming CMEs are expected to hit Earth between Oct. 4 and Oct. 6, possibly triggering widespread auroras.

Downloadable pics from NASA here:
https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14701/

[John1956PA]

1. Thanks for posting. Reading about historic auroras is interesting.

The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) display of January 1938 was spectacular. Years ago, I heard a first-hand witness account of the spectacle.

The Carrington Event of September 1959 put on the greatest auroral display. Richard Carrington, a British astronomer, was one of the first to observe and report the September 1, 1859, solar flare which produced massive auroral displays over the following nights.

[usonian]

2. I got this shot in May 2024 from central CA. (Rare)

Enhanced to show detail and stars. The eyeball view was much darker but clearly an aurora.

[central scrutinizer]

3. The KP index shows little effect

For today

https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/planetary-k-index

[3Hotdogs]

4. Watch for more fires in California as the Israeli Air Force uses the solar flair, behind which to hide their space laser

.

[usonian]

5. Do you mean Jewish Space Phaser?

Rudy showed up when he heard there would be open bar after the "shoot"

[3Hotdogs]

6. Them's the practice ones. The newer ones are satellites that hide higher than yiz can see 'em.

Then when nobody's looking, they fire up and fire down on California.

Biden tried to keep 'em secret but the secret got out.