Solar Flare Sets Off Geomagnetic Storm on Earth

May 10, 2024

Updated 7:03 pm

A significant solar flare erupted from the sun on Thursday, May 10, 2024, triggering a geomagnetic storm on Earth. The effects of the flare were felt just eight minutes later, as a coronal mass ejection (CME) of charged particles hurtled towards our planet.

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured images of the solar flare in extreme ultraviolet light, revealing the massive eruption of plasma and magnetic fields from the sun's corona. CMEs can have a range of effects on Earth, from disrupting radio communications to causing power outages and even damaging infrastructure.

Scientists are monitoring the situation closely, as the geomagnetic storm could continue for several days. The National Weather Service has issued alerts for potential disruptions to power grids and satellite communications. In extreme cases, solar particle radiation can pose a risk to astronauts in space.