NASA issues warning after major solar storm threatens blackouts across Earth
Scientists are warning that this could cause disruptions on Earth
NASA has issued a warning as a major solar storm threatens to cause blackouts across Earth.
The huge solar storm is making its way to Earth and could cause widespread disruptions across the planet.
The enormous solar eruption began on the sun’s northern hemisphere last week and the explosion that followed has stretched almost 600,000 miles.
Once it hits Earth, this could impact communications including satnavs and power grids.
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Now, NASA is warning the public that the storm has been measured at an X2.7-class solar flare, which is the highest category for measuring solar flares.
This type of storm is a disturbance within our planet’s magnetic field and is caused by solar wind emitted from the sun.
This happens when charged particles are released from the sun and hit our magnetic shield and as a result, can impact earthbound infrastructure such as power grids, satellites and GPS.
How is the solar flare impacting people on Earth?
There have already been reports of mass radio blackouts across Asia, Europe and the Middle East, and the American space agency warns that there is more to come.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, aurora chaser Vincent Ledvina said that the eruption was reminiscent of a ‘bird-wing’ or ‘angel-wing event’.
He added: “This is getting intense, especially as this active region turns closer into view.”
It’s due to affect the US soon, with northern states expected to be in the firing line.
These include places like Washington, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Maine and Alaska.
However, it’s not all bad because these storms can also create stunning auroras and NASA has said that the storm is due to bring the northern lights to 11 US states.
In a statement, the UK Met Office said: “Solar activity is expected to remain mostly low, but with an ongoing chance of isolated moderate-class flares.”
On X, Dr Tamitha Sjov said that she was concerned that the 'Earth-facing side of our Sun has been taking a bit of a nap recently' but 'but finally did something noteworthy'.
Fellow solar physicist Halo CME also asked the question on X: "Is the Sun waking up again?"
They noted that it was 'the first X-class flare since March 28, 2025,' and added: "This is associated with a CME that drives a weak shock wave responsible for a minor SEP event."
What is a CME?
A coronal mass ejection (CME) is a burst of solar material and magnetic fields that gets released from the eruption.
While most of the CME is moving away from Earth, scientists predict that a portion could graze our planet on May 16, 2025.
Jake Foster, astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, told MailOnline: "Loops of hot plasma can sprout up from the Sun’s surface, following along its magnetic field lines, and occasionally they break free and shoot off into space at high speeds."
"These eruptions are huge collections of high energy solar particles, so when they hit the Earth’s atmosphere they can cause a few different effects."