NASA Satellite Captures High-Speed Coronal Mass Ejection from Powerful Solar Flare, Solar Storm Imminent

Yesterday, July 17, the Earth encountered a minor solar storm that resulted in the appearance of auroras in certain high-latitude areas. However, shortly after this solar activity diminished, a more significant issue emerged. Today, July 18, an intense M6-class solar flare erupted from the unstable region of AR3363 on the Sun, as observed by the NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory. Scientists believe that this solar flare poses a greater threat than X-class flares due to its prolonged duration. Additionally, it has emitted a substantial coronal mass ejection (CME) cloud, which is currently traveling at a high velocity. There is a chance that this cloud may collide with the Earth, potentially triggering a significant solar storm event.

According to a SpaceWeather.com report, “Big Sunspot AR3363 just produced a large M6 explosion (0006 UT July 18). NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded the long-duration event. SOHO coronagraphs have observed a bright CME rising at high speed from the explosion site. Not enough yet information to determine whether it has an Earth-facing component.”

Earth is expecting a powerful solar storm

To help you understand how dangerous this solar flare was, you should know that the flare was noted to be at M5 level for over an hour. The total energy released was more than many X class solar flares could have. The longer duration also ensures that the CME cloud would be very powerful and capable of causing massive destruction.

Last month we saw a similar fast CME make its way to Venus, where it erodes some of the atmosphere as a result of its impact. A similar event on Earth can be deeply disturbing. Such solar storms can damage small satellites, affect mobile networks and GPS, and even pose a threat to ground-based electronics and power grids.

The role of the NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory

The NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) houses a full suite of instruments for observing the Sun, and has done so since 2010. It uses three very important instruments to collect data on various solar activities. They include the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI), which measures high-resolution longitudinal and vector magnetic fields across the entire visible solar disk, the Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE), which measures the Sun’s extreme ultraviolet radiation, and the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA), which provides continuous full-disk observations of the solar chromosphere and the corona in seven extreme ultraviolet (EUV) channels.