Giant sunspot eruption Jan 7 1832 UTC, solar flare coming our way

[hminsky]

http://spaceweather.com/

X-FLARE: Giant sunspot AR1944 erupted on Jan 7th at approximately 1832 UT, producing a powerful X1-class solar flare. First-look coronagraph images from the STEREO-Ahead spacecraft appear to show a coronal mass ejection (CME) emerging from the blast site. If so, the CME is almost certainly heading for Earth. Stay tuned for updates as more data arrive from the NASA-ESA Heliophysics Fleet. Solar flare alerts: text, voice.

I wonder if this is anything like the March 1989 geomagnetic storm that took down Quebec's power grid

 

[Zarathustra11]

It would need to be a much more powerful flare, although AR1944 is probably the biggest sunspot I've ever seen. A CME is a completely different monster though, and are a lot more unpredictable. A big enough CME would certainly do more than just take down isolated grids.

 

[hminsky]

Another site said


Bright CME Detected: As expected, a bright coronal mass ejection (CME) was generated by the major X1.2 solar flare this afternoon. Because the source region is in a near perfect geoeffective positon, this bodes well for an Earth directed component. Sky watchers at high latitudes may get lucky in a few days. Stay tuned for further updates and CME tracking models. Image by STEREO Ahead.

 

[BattleSnail]

I'll wait eagerly for [nothing at all] to happen.

 

[MisterHappy]

Tinfoil shiny side out.

It's not just for mind control rays, anymore.....

 

[coastie]

I am hoping for some northern lights and clear skies so we can watch them.