Are You Ready for the Solar Storm Today? A Solar Flare to Strike Earth, Says NASA!

The Sun unleashed a powerful solar flare this Sunday night, giving rise to a solar storm that is going to strike earth early Thursday. News confirmed by NASA.

Right after the Super Blue Red Moon Eclipse in January, it’s Sun’s turn this February. No, it’s not another eclipse, rather a storm! A solar storm to approach earth on February 15.

Image: AJC.com

A solar flare was captured by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory Satellite. The Sun was observed releasing coronal mass ejection or CME this Sunday night. CME-s are basically huge explosions of magnetic field and plasma. Stated by the Space Weather Prediction Center, “When CMEs enter the Earth’s magnetosphere, they are responsible for geomagnetic storms and enhance aurora.”

Aurora Image: Earth Porm

And according to NASA these solar flares are the largest explosive events of our solar system! Sounds worrisome?

Well, the following occurrences may take place due to a solar storm -

• More brightened and visible auroras

• Power grid fluctuation at some regions, not applicable in case of minor storms

• Creates confusion in internal compasses of marine mammals, sounds like trouble!

• Minimal damage to earth orbiting satellites

But, NASA also pacifies the residents of earth not to get panic-stricken by the news. Such solar flares and solar storms are pretty common and they cannot cause us harm directly. Thanks to our atmosphere and magnetic field!