Three strong solar flares emerged from the sun in less than 24 hours. During this series of eruptions, there were reports of multiple radio blackouts occurring throughout the Earth. TIPAn M6.9 solar flare occurred Tuesday morning. The event could result in a dazzling northern lights show on Friday. The impact of the CME will determine the exact time of arrival when its magnetic field hits Earth. The sun unleashed a powerful M6.9 solar flare, triggering a coronal mass ejection (CME) that is now forecast to reach Earth later this week and potentially trigger a minor geomagnetic storm. The solar flare eruption peaked at 6 a.m. EDT, triggering a barrage of intense flares, including powerful M-class flares. WATCH THE MASSIVE SOLAR FLARES EXPLODED ON THE SUN CAUSING A ‘STRONG RADIO BLACKOUT’ ON EARTH Solar flares are classified by their intensity into five classes starting with A, B, C, M and X, with each class being more powerful than the one preceding it. This eruption was in the second strongest category. This animation shows a solar flare that produces a solar flare, a coronal mass ejection, and a burst of energetic particles. The particles follow the spiral shape of the solar wind’s magnetic fields into interplanetary space. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Imaging Laboratory/NASA) Solar flares are powerful bursts of energy that can disrupt radio communications, power grids and navigation signals, and pose a risk to spacecraft and astronauts, according to NASA. THE BEST CELESTIAL EVENTS IN 2026 YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS These powerful eruptions can cause various effects. geomagnetic storm and producing dazzling auroras for thousands of sky watchers. Despite this, only a limited number of locations in North America will be able to view the celestial event. Aurora viewing map. (FOX Weather) If the CME occurs at the same time as a high-speed solar wind stream, the two could combine to enhance geomagnetic activity and increase the chances of aurora activity, according to Space.com. Early models show that Earth could take an indirect hit from the CME on Friday around 6 to 7 a.m. EDT. AUGUST SKY VIEWING GUIDE: FROM A PLANETARY PARADE AND ECLIPSES TO A METEOR SHOWER The Dynamics Observatory captured these images of solar flares, as seen in the bright flashes in the image on the left (flare on May 8) and on the image on the right (flare on May 7). The image shows a subset of extreme ultraviolet light that highlights extremely hot material in flares and is colored orange. (NASA/SDO / NOAA)The impact of the CME will determine the exact moment of arrival when its magnetic field hits the Earth and interacts with it, increasing the possibilities of geomagnetic activity. SOLAR VS. LUNAR: WHICH ECLIPSE GIVES YOU THE BEST CHANCE TO SEE IT? Hopefully, the event will produce a colorful aurora for astronomers and sky watchers to enjoy on Friday.
