A major solar storm is heading toward Earth, the second in just five months. Earlier this week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a warning about a “G3-class geomagnetic storm.” This is the third-highest level on the storm scale, behind G4 and G5. In short, it’s serious but not the worst.
These storms come from violent activity on the sun, like solar flares. When a flare releases plasma into space, it can sometimes reach Earth’s atmosphere. Experts warn this could happen on Friday, leading to problems with power grids, GPS, and satellite communications.
But there is a bright side—literally. This storm might bring back the beautiful auroras, like the ones seen earlier this year.
The warning follows a massive solar explosion that happened on Tuesday. It was rated X7.1, the second most powerful flare in recent years. Solar flares are ranked like earthquakes: B-class is the weakest, and X-class is the strongest. An X7.1 flare releases a huge amount of energy.
The flare came from a sunspot-filled region called Active Region 3842. These sunspots are often the source of solar flares and related events. NOAA had warned that the flare could create a coronal mass ejection (CME), where solar particles are shot toward Earth. If the CME’s magnetic field aligns poorly with Earth’s, it could cause disruptions.
Luckily, while solar storms can sound scary, they don’t harm humans directly. The main risks are to electrical systems, like power grids and satellites. NOAA believes most problems can be managed, so there’s no need to panic.
On the brighter side, solar storms can create stunning auroras. This storm could make auroras visible across the northern U.S., from the Midwest to as far south as Oregon.
As the storm approaches, we’re reminded of the power and beauty of space. It’s a cosmic dance between the sun and Earth—one that could affect our technology but also treat us to a breathtaking display of light in the night sky.
