1. What Was the Most Intense Solar Storm in Decades?
The most intense solar storm in decades occurred in May 2024. This storm was triggered by a series of large solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that launched clouds of charged particles and magnetic fields toward Earth.
2. How Did NASA Track the Solar Storm?
NASA tracked the solar storm using its fleet of spacecraft, including the Solar Dynamics Observatory, which constantly watches the Sun. The agency also relied on data from the Moon to Mars (M2M) Space Weather Analysis Office.
3. What Were the Key Dates of the Solar Storm?
The first signs of the solar storm started late on May 7, 2024, with two strong solar flares. From May 7 to 11, multiple strong solar flares and at least seven CMEs stormed toward Earth.
4. How Powerful Were the Solar Flares?
Eight of the flares in this period were the most powerful type, known as X-class, with the strongest peaking at X5.8. The most powerful flare seen this solar cycle was an X8.7 flare on May 14, 2024.
5. What Impact Did the Solar Storm Have on Earth?
The CMEs traveled at speeds up to 3 million mph and created a long-lasting geomagnetic storm that reached a rating of G5the highest level on the geomagnetic storm scalesince 2003.
6. Where Were the Auroras Visible?
Auroras were visible around the globe, including at unusually low latitudes such as the southern U.S. and northern India. The strongest auroras were seen the night of May 10, 2024.
7. How Did NASA Prepare for the Storm?
Warnings helped many NASA missions brace for the storm. Some spacecraft preemptively powered down certain instruments or systems to avoid issues. NASA's ICESat-2 entered safe mode likely due to increased drag caused by the storm.
8. What Future Missions Will Study Solar Storms?
Future missions like NASAs Geospace Dynamics Constellation (GDC) and Dynamical Neutral Atmosphere-Ionosphere Coupling (DYNAMIC) will measure how Earths atmosphere responds to solar storms. These measurements will be crucial for understanding space weathers impact on satellites, crewed missions, and Earth-based infrastructure.
9. Are There More Solar Flares Coming?
The solar region responsible for the recent stormy weather is now turning around the backside of the Sun. However, NASAs Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO) will continue watching the active region, capturing data even after it is no longer visible from Earth.
