Space experts have turned their attention to an expected massive flare from the Sun.
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The eruption is headed towards planet and could cause geomagnetic solar storms on June 15.
According to space weather experts at SpaceWeather.com: “A CME launched from yesterday’s slow-moving solar flare is expected to pass close to Earth on June 15.”
«Geomagnetic storms are possible if the CME makes contact.»
“NOAA forecasts say that small storms , with a chance for G2 (moderate) and a small chance for G3 (strong) storms.“
A CME is a type of solar flare called a coronal mass ejection, which is a massive ejection of plasma from the Sun's outer layer, called the corona.
This massive blast of particles from the Sun travels into space , and Earth uses its magnetic field to protect us from it. Each solar storm that hits Earth is rated based on its severity.
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This CME could deliver a jolt to Earth by noon on June 15, according to NOAA computer models. It is likely to arrive at Earth at the same time as a coronal hole. If both hit Earth at the same time, they could trigger a small G1 – or a moderate G2 – geomagnetic storm. NASA show a similar result, with an expected arrival earlier on June 15.
According to experts, the potential storms on June 15 could range from minor to severe. A small solar storm could have a weak impact on the power grid and satellite communications.
Moderate storms can cause some damage to power systems while severe storms can cause even more serious damage
A G1 category storm can also confuse migratory animals that rely on the Earth's magnetic field for their sense of direction.
However, solar storms can also produce very beautiful natural light displays such as the northern lights.
These natural light displays are called auroras and are examples of the bombardment of Earth's magnetosphere by the solar wind, which creates beautiful green and blue lights.
See also: Sun down: When will the sun finally explode and what will happen to us then
Earth's magnetic field helps protect us from the most extreme effects of solar flares, but it can't stop them all.
In 1989, a powerful solar flare blasted so many electrically charged particles toward Earth that the Canadian province of Quebec was left without power for nine hours.
