Most powerful solar flare of the current solar cycle
The biggest solar flare of the last seven years was observed on October 3rd, be prepared for a possible aurora weekend in Stockholm
In the last few days, the Sun has released three powerful flares (emission of X-rays), accompanied by coronal mass ejections (CMEs). The Sun is currently at the peak of its 11-year activity cycle. The flare detected on October 3rd 12:18 UTC is the most powerful flare of the current cycle, which far exceeds the predictions put forth by models.
When CMEs reach the Earth, they drive space weather events, which can damage space- and ground-based technology, and result in beautiful auroras. CMEs take a few days to travel all the way from the Sun to Earth. The one associated with the October 1st flare is expected to arrive anytime today, while the rest will soon follow. This greatly enhances the probability that aurora will be seen here in Stockholm over the whole weekend!
Spectacular auroras in Stockholm have been seen a few times already this year. Let’s hope that this weekend will be another one to remember!
If you want to monitor the solar activity yourself, and the effect it has on the planet, you can refer to the following links:
helioviewer.org (to see the Sun!)
www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/goes-x-ray-flux (for X-ray detection)
www.irf.se/en/observatory-activities/allsky-camera (for aurora)
flux.phys.uit.no/stackplot (geomagnetic activity)
spaceweather.com (everything!!!)
If you have any questions, or you want to participate in research of the above, contact us at SPP!