The sun unleashed a strong X1.1 solar flare on Friday, March 28, as scientists continue to monitor the possibilities of coronal mass ejections, which can ultimately lead to geomagnetic storms, northern lights forecasts and disrupted radio and satellite signals.
The sun has been active in recent weeks, with active geomagnetic storms occurring in the northern regions of the U.S. The X1.1 solar flare on Friday shows that it is likely not Earth-directed. However, NOAA is continuing to monitor.
The sun officially reached its solar maximum period in 2024, which was forecasted to continue this year, according to the International Solar Cycle Prediction Panel. Scientists predict that solar and geomagnetic storms during the current solar maximum period will increase the opportunities to view the auroras or northern lights and potentially impact technology.
Solar flare eruptions are associated with solar coronal mass ejections, which occur when plasma from the sun embeds with the magnetic field surrounding Earth, NOAA explains.
While solar coronal mass ejections from the sun’s corona create geomagnetic storms when they collide with Earth, NOAA adds that the potential for disrupting communications, the electric power grids, navigation, radio, and satellite operations are all real. However, it also triggers spectacular displays of the northern lights in northern regions of the country while, in rare events, reaching farther south, such as a historic event last May when they were seen as far south as Texas.
