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The skies across the United States were illuminated in a stunning and vibrant display due to powerful solar flares hitting Earth on Friday. Northern Lights, usually only visible in states bordering Canada during geomagnetic storms, extended as far south as the Gulf Coast. Residents in Florida, Texas, and Alabama reported witnessing breathtaking pink, green, and purple hues lighting up the sky.

According to the SWPC, satellite observations recorded geomagnetic activity reaching level 5, classified as an “extreme” event, on Friday evening. This marks the first such storm to reach this intensity since October 2003. Although conditions have eased to a level 4 storm by Saturday morning, more geomagnetic activity is anticipated over the weekend and possibly extending into early next week due to additional solar flares.

NOAA detected another significant X-class solar flare emitted from the Sun on Friday evening, rating it as X5.4 on their scale, one of the most powerful flares in recent times.

In addition to the stunning aurora displays, geomagnetic storms can have significant impacts on infrastructure both in space and on Earth’s surface, potentially disrupting communication networks, the power grid, navigation systems, radio transmissions, and satellite operations, as stated by the SWPC. The last Level 5 geomagnetic event resulted in power outages in Sweden and damaged transformers in South Africa.

SWPC coordinator Shawn Dahl mentioned on Friday that they have informed infrastructure operators they collaborate with, including satellite operators, communication providers, and the North American power grid, to prepare for potential mitigation efforts during the anticipated event. On Saturday morning, SpaceX’s Starlink service reported “degraded service” on its website, although specifics were not provided. Elon Musk had previously mentioned on X that the Starlink satellites were facing significant pressure from the geomagnetic storm but were still functioning adequately.

A colossal sunspot, 17 times the size of Earth, has emerged, resulting from the merging of two massive sunspots. This merging has led to the eruption of at least three X-class (the largest) and several M-class (the second-largest) solar flares. These flares trigger coronal mass ejections (CMEs), where charged and superheated plasma accelerates through space.

The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) highlights the complexity and size of these sunspot clusters, emphasizing their frequent M-class flare activity. RGN 3664, the combined sunspot region, is expanding and becoming more magnetically intricate, raising the risk of further solar flare occurrences.

NOAA has detected at least seven CMEs originating from the sun, with initial impacts expected by early Friday afternoon ET. Heightened solar activity is forecasted to persist possibly until Sunday, with the SPWC describing the event as unusual and potentially historic.

Additionally, another active sunspot has released strong CMEs this week, with NOAA anticipating the arrival of five CMEs colliding with Earth in a glancing blow from midday Friday through Sunday.

Solar flares, as explained by Professor Peter Becker from George Mason University, are characterized by a brightening of the sun, akin to a muzzle flash, followed by the ejection of charged particles known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs), resembling a cannon shot. While CMEs can travel in various directions in space, forecasting allows scientists to predict when they will head towards Earth, providing approximately 18 to 24 hours of warning before their impact on Earth’s magnetic field.

NOAA cautions that geomagnetic storms resulting from these events can lead to widespread disruptions. High-frequency radio communications may experience blackout for several hours, and power systems could suffer voltage irregularities, triggering false alarms on security devices. Low earth orbit satellites might encounter drag, affecting their orientation, while GPS systems could experience range errors and loss of lock.

X-class solar flares, the most powerful explosions in the solar system, have the potential to release energy equivalent to billions of atomic bombs, according to NASA. M-class flares, the second strongest, can cause minor radiation storms and pose risks to astronauts.

Extreme (G5) geomagnetic conditions have been observed! pic.twitter.com/qLsC8GbWus

— NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) May 10, 2024

As the solar cycle approaches its peak, solar storms are becoming more frequent, supported by evidence from tree rings and ice cores indicating larger solar superstorms in the past.

One notable event, the Carrington Event of 1859, is considered Earth’s most significant solar storm in recent history, causing auroras visible across almost the entire planet. Another event, approximately 14,000 years ago, may have been even more potent than the Carrington flare.

NOAA forecasts the current 11-year solar cycle to reach its peak around 2024 or early 2025, with solar activity expected to remain heightened for the next several months to a few years.

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