Two X flares fired from the sun could start the Northern Lights.
Space weather is extremely complex, with numerous various methods taking place throughout outer space. Depending on the conditions, solar energy can strike Earth, causing the northern lights.NOAA
The sun has been particularly active in recent days, with two X flares occurring in the same day. This could lead to a chance of seeing the Northern Lights this past week. Space.com reports that two X flares happened less than two hours apart on Monday.
Solar flares are massive blasts of electromagnetic energy emitted from the sun. They are ranked according to how powerful the explosions are, including an A level flare being the least powerful and an X level flare being the most destructive.
They fly at light speed because they are electromagnetic energy bursts. This implies that by the time scientists notice them, they have already harmed Earth.
Solar flares frequently result in coronal mass ejections (CMEs). NOAA defines CMEs as massive eruptions of magma and magnetic fields from the sun. Because this is actual matter, it is not moving at the speed of light. Rather, depending on the solar wind, these take many days to reach Earth.
Given the location of Monday's solar flares in regard to Earth, any CME linked with the first would not have an influence on us. Scientists are currently investigating whether a CME was launched with the second flare.
If this is the case, Earth may get a glancing strike as a result of its orientation, potentially creating Northern Lights.
More solar flares may occur as this active region of the sun rotates around the surface and remains in Earth's field of vision. These would also have the potential to trigger CMEs, so stay tuned for developments!
