While our sun merrily blasted two moderate-size solar flares in time for Star Wars Day, auroras are likely not our destiny yet.
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded two M-class outbursts that peaked on Tuesday (May 3) at 8 p.m. EDT (0000 GMT on May 4) and on Wednesday (May 4) at 5 a.m. EDT (0900 GMT). Earth wasn’t quite in firing range of the stellar-sized cannon, so it’s unlikely we’ll see a sky show.
The culprit was a new sunspot called AR3004, which also sent off a larger X-class explosion on the limb of the sun earlier on Tuesday. It is rotating within range of Earth, and will be “increasingly geoeffective” as it points towards our planet, SpaceWeather.com stated.
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NASA did not give specific guidance about the event, beyond its usual warnings about the possible effects of auroras affecting power lines and other infrastructure. The Space Weather Prediction Center, an office within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recorded a moderate radio blackout for the early-morning flare.
“Additional M-class flares remain likely, with a chance of X-class activity,” the NOAA space weather forecast stated early Wednesday.
Generally, auroras may increase following a solar flare if charged particles from a coronal mass ejection move towards Earth. These particles flow along magnetic field lines of our planet and interact with the upper atmosphere, exciting air molecules and creating the colorful lights.
The sun is coming off a very active April, with huge groups of sunspots and numerous flares ranging from moderate-sized to the largest X-class sized. Its forecasted peak is in 2025.
Both NASA and NOAA monitor the sun 24/7 to learn more about solar weather and possible effects on the Earth. NASA also operates the Parker Solar Probe mission, which is probing the ultra-hot upper atmosphere of the sun.
Follow Elizabeth Howell on Twitter @howellspace. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom or on Facebook.
