The Sun emitted two powerful solar flares over the past two days.
Solar flares are "powerful bursts of radiation," they cannot pierce Earth's atmosphere and directly harm humans, but they can disrupt satellites and other technology, NASA reported.
The flare was classified as a X1.7 class flare. The X class is the strongest class of flares, and with each number the strength doubles. For example: an X3 flare would be twice as strong as an X2. Flares of about X1.7 strength have caused "degradation or blackouts of radio communications for about an hour."
The Sun is in a period of its 11 year cycle where it is at a solar maximum, causing it to be prone to flares. This solar system has been tracked since its discovery in 1843, and researchers observed multiple solar flares during this point in the cycle in the past.
The flares are expected to trigger a geomagnetic storm on Earth, the storm will most likely be mild but could cause some problems with power grids, satellites, and could also intensify auroras. There is expected to be a second storm on Monday Oct. 28, Space.com reported.
Researchers are waiting for additional images of the flares to see if they are associated with a coronal mass ejection, which is an "explosion of super-hot plasma."
"Earth's magnetic field is about to receive a glancing blow from three CMEs observed leaving the sun between Oct. 20th and 22nd," astronomer Tony Phillips wrote Thursday (Oct. 24) on Spaceweather.com, Space.com reported.
"Forecast models suggest that the three clouds merged en route to Earth, and their combined impact could trigger a mild polar geomagnetic storm on Oct. 24-25," Phillips said. "High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras."
This is believed to be the weakest solar maximum within a century.
