Second-Biggest Solar Flare Of Cycle 25 Detected
On Tuesday, the Space Weather Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) detected an X7.1 solar flare. This flare is the second strongest of Solar Cycle 25 and originated from Active Region 3842. The strongest flare of this cycle, an X8.7, occurred on May 14 earlier this year.
The GOES-16 satellite X-ray sensor (XRS) observed the flare, which peaked at 6:20 pm EDT (2220 UTC). The flare was impulsive, and some reports from the USAF solar radio observatory suggest a possible coronal mass ejection (CME) may be associated with the flare.
Coronal Mass Ejection Likely to Pass Earth
According to an update on the SolarHam space weather website, the solar flare was associated with a "faint halo CME." Although it was not an overly energetic event, it is likely to pass Earth within 48-72 hours.
A user named EarthSky wrote, "Yesterday evening's giant X flare released a chunk of sun-stuff - a coronal mass ejection, or CME - toward Earth. Initial analysis says it should arrive October 5." They added that it is a relatively fast but not a very big CME.
Expectations of a Minor to Moderate Solar Storm
The SPWC expects a minor to moderate solar storm by the end of this week or the weekend. This means that auroras will be visible in certain areas.
The solar maximum has arrived, as previously noted. Last year, it was pointed out that Cycle 25 is expected to peak sometime in 2025. It was also noted that the 'first traces' of Solar Cycle 26 had been detected.
Previous Solar Storms
In early May, one of the most powerful solar storms in years hit Earth. Fortunately, the digital economy held up, and Starlink's massive satellite constellation also survived.
However, it's important to remember how fragile modern society has become in a solar maximum period of heightened Earth-facing space weather. Solar storms can devastate entire civilizations and pose the risk of blackouts for major East Coast cities. Washington DC is the most vulnerable US city for grid failure during a geomagnetic storm.
Bottom Line
Perhaps the biggest threat to civilization is not human-caused global warming, as is often pushed by far-left corporate media outlets and progressive officials. Instead, we might need to look to the sky for threats. Yet, it's likely that climate alarmists will find a way to blame the sun-burping plasma on humans.
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