Tag Archives: Disrupt Communications

Strong Solar Flare Could Spark Geomagnetic Storm

A large sunspot, number 1429, sparked a powerful solar flare that sent super energetic particles towards earth. They are expected to impact earth in the early morning hours.

NASA’s Goddard Space Weather Lab forecast track here.

A strong solar flare like this one can trigger a geomagnetic storm when the proton stream impacts Earth’s protective magnetic field causing disruptions to radio and satellite based communications. It may also cause colorful auroras to be seen at lower latitudes where they aren’t normally visible.

solar-flare-x-class-07_mar_2011_1600
X Class Solar Flare from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory
SDO_Logo
Solar Dynamics Observatory Logo