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X-flare of Saturday, March 29

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March 30, 2014

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded the extreme ultraviolet flash of the X-flare that occurred on the sun on March 29, 2014. — NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded the extreme ultraviolet flash of the X-flare that occurred on the sun on March 29, 2014.

An X-flare – the most powerful kind of solar flare – flashed briefly from the sun yesterday (March 29, 2014). It propelled a coronal mass ejection, or CME, into space, the bulk of the CME is due to pass north of the sun-Earth line. However, a faint Earth-directed component could deliver a glancing blow to our planet’s magnetic field on April 1-2, producing beautiful auroras or northern lights.

Are solar storms dangerous to us?

Will I see the northern lights tonight?

Read about a rare “magnetic crochet” from yesterday’s X-flare at SpaceWeather.com

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March 30, 2014

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Deborah Byrd

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Deborah Byrd (asteroid 3505 Byrd) helps edit EarthSky.org and is a frequent host of EarthSky videos. Deborah created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named in her honor in 1990, a Public Service Award from the National Science Board in 2003, and the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 2020. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.