The consequences of one of the largest solar flares ever recorded could be felt on Earth this weekend – for example, on the Internet, GPS signals or the power grid. They can also be observed in the Northern Lights.

NASA’s telescope has captured the largest solar flare in years. This could cause an internet and power outage on the ground this weekend. According to the American Space Weather Prediction Center, geomagnetic storms of categories G1 (minor) to G2 (moderate) are expected to occur during Saturday and Sunday as a result of the solar flare.

G2 gusts can require, among other things, correction of the spacecraft’s orientation by ground control. In addition, certain types of radio communications may be affected at higher latitudes. It is also possible to damage power network transformers. Furthermore, the aurora borealis can also be seen in the far south of the Arctic.

Geomagnetic storms, also called solar storms, are caused by so-called coronal mass ejections, which occurred in a particularly active part of the sun on Thursday and Friday, according to NASA. A plasma cloud made up of electrons, protons and certain atomic nuclei was launched into space. When these particles collide with the Earth’s magnetic field, it is known as a solar storm or magnetic storm.

According to the Space Weather Prediction Center, the current eruption was Category X, the highest category, and likely one of the most powerful solar flares ever recorded. Since this phenomenon takes one to three days to reach Earth, we can expect the greatest impact on December 17.

According to NASA, the eruption occurred in the far northwest of the sun. The organization captured the event using the Solar Energy Dynamics Observatory in intense ultraviolet light, capturing the massive energy explosion in the form of a huge, bright flash.

The organization wrote on Platform X that the eruption released a large amount of radiation. However, radiation cannot penetrate the Earth’s atmosphere and therefore poses no harm to people on Earth. “However, if they are strong enough, they can disrupt the atmosphere in the layer where GPS signals and communications are transmitted.” NASA writes.

A NASA telescope has captured the largest solar flare in years, temporarily knocking out radio communications on Earth. connection: https://t.co/mmKdxBH8sl

— Spectrum News 1 HV (@SPECNews1HV) December 16, 2023

Sol unleashed an X-class solar flare on December 14; The source was sunspot cluster AR 3514, which fired the shot before beginning to orbit the solar limb out of sight.

This could make for a good auroral display tonight at high and mid latitudes.https://t.co/HOoyz4JPMR pic.twitter.com/SItzU3qSI6

– Dave Dickinson (@Astroguyz) December 16, 2023