Overview
- NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured and published an image of a strong X1.0 solar flare that peaked on June 3, highlighting extremely hot ultraviolet-emitting plasma.
- The X1.0 event was one of three eruptions launched within about 24 hours that the National Weather Service’s Space Weather Prediction Center says could catch up and merge en route to Earth.
- SWPC reports a fair level of confidence that the combined eruptions will arrive but says the timing and ultimate intensity remain uncertain.
- Forecasters estimate the resulting geomagnetic storm could fall in the mid-to-high range on the 1-to-5 scale, which could disturb radio and GPS signals, affect power grids, and pose risks to satellites and astronauts while posing negligible radiation risk to people on the ground.
- The activity raises the odds of visible northern lights across parts of the United States and keeps NOAA, NASA and other agencies monitoring for impacts and advising operators of critical systems to prepare.