Three powerful solar flares have been unleashed by the sun over the past two days, and the effects of these large eruptions could knock out satellites and communication systems on Earth this Friday the 13th, Live Science reported.
A "coronal mass ejection," a huge cloud of irradiated particles and magnetic shockwave, could be sent through Earth this Friday, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The "solar events" caused brief blackouts and disruptions in high frequency communications, such as radio broadcasts and aircraft communications, when they struck, twice on Tuesday morning and once Wednesday morning, all between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. EDT, ABC News reported.
"The sun emitted two X-grade solar flares on Tuesday morning at 7.42am and 8.52am - X being the most powerful kind of solar flare - and a third X-class flare early yesterday," UK MailOnline reported.
"Solar flares are largely harmless, as Earth's atmosphere absorbs most of the harmful particles they emit. However they can cause satellites to malfunction, and disrupt the layer of atmosphere some communications pass through, causing interruptions."
However, if the CME strikes, then damage could prove to be far more severe since it can cause huge electrical surges, knock out power grids, make pylon cables to overload and snap.
Although an event on this scale is unlikely, satellites could be affected, leading to a drop in mobile phone signal if the Friday predicament strikes a "glancing blow."
The last major CME to hit Earth came in 1859 when compasses were knocked out as Earth's magnetic field was disrupted.
"Because the last major CME happened before the planet was dependent on electronics for our day-to-day lives, little is known about what the real impact would be," according to UK MailOnline. "But it is likely that large electronics would be badly affected, causing weeks or months of disruptions to power supplies, phone networks and the internet which could cost billions to repair."
"Small electronics, such as mobile phones and computers, would likely be unaffected, but would be rendered almost useless with large networks knocked out."
If the geomagnetic storm forecasted for Friday hits, it will likely only produce a G1 storm, the least intense type. Therefore, it's unlikely that communication instruments will be disrupted, and space weather experts are not forecasting any unusual aurora displays, SWPC officials said.
Strong flares and CMEs can also be hazardous to astronauts aboard the International Space Station and disrupt satellites in orbit around the planet, Live Science reported.
