New Delhi: NASA recently documented significant explosions on the sun’s surface, leading to powerful solar flares that caught the attention of skywatchers worldwide. The Solar Dynamics Observatory, NASA’s observatory, carefully observed these solar eruptions, releasing electromagnetic energy towards Earth.
These solar flares occurred on May 10-11, 2024, peaking at 9:23 p.m. EDT on May 10 and 7:44 a.m. EDT on May 11. Classified as X5.8 and X1.5-class flares, NASA captured images of the events. As a result, a cosmic spectacle unfolded as Earth prepared for the impact of the solar storms. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued alerts as coronal mass ejections (CMEs) headed towards our planet.
The stunning auroras that followed painted the skies with vibrant hues of pink, green, and purple, captivating skywatchers from northern Europe to Australia’s Tasmania. Despite its mesmerizing beauty, solar storms present risks to technological infrastructure as fluctuating magnetic fields from geomagnetic storms can disrupt power grids, communication networks, and satellite operations.
Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX and Starlink, acknowledged the challenges posed by the solar storm, particularly on satellite operations. Even with concerns, Musk assured that SpaceX’s satellites were equipped to handle the effects of the solar storm. Sky-gazers globally were able to capture incredible photos of the rare phenomena, showcasing the celestial drama that unfolded.