NASA Spots Massive Solar Eruption, NOAA Issues Severe Storm Alert: Will It Affect Earth And Humans?

NASA has once again caught the Sun in a dramatic mood. On Sunday, January 18, the space agency recorded a powerful X-class solar flare and shared some stunning images and footage from its Solar Dynamics Observatory. The flare peaked at 18:09 GMT (11:39 PM IST) and was classified as an X1.9 event, placing it in the most intense flare category. While “X-class” sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, NASA says there’s no need to panic. It won’t physically harm people on the ground, but it can still stir up trouble in the skies above us.What NASA Said About The X1.9 Solar FlareAccording to NASA, solar flares are intense bursts of radiation released from the Sun. The X1.9 rating matters because the “X” marks it as one of the strongest

types of flares, while the number shows its strength within that category. In this case, it was a significant one, and it didn’t come alone.Are Solar Flares Dangerous For Humans?The good news is that the flare’s harmful radiation cannot pass through Earth’s atmosphere, meaning people on the ground are safe. The not-so-fun part is what happens higher up. If a flare is strong enough, it can disturb the atmospheric layer where GPS and communication signals travel, which can lead to disruptions in radio communication, navigation signals, and even power grids.NASA also noted that while humans on Earth are protected, spacecraft and astronauts don’t get the same luxury, which is why space weather gets tracked so closely.Severe Geomagnetic Storm Alert IssuedAfter the flare, a coronal mass ejection (CME), basically a massive cloud of solar plasma, was also detected moving toward Earth. By Monday, it began impacting the planet and things escalated quickly.The US Space Weather Prediction Centre issued a severe geomagnetic storm alert, rated 4 out of 5, which some reports are calling the strongest in over two decades. In simple terms, Earth’s magnetic field took a hit, and that’s where the real effects show up.What You Can Do Right NowIf you’re in an area where auroras could be visible, this might be your lucky week. Look out for the northern lights at night, provided the weather cooperates. And if your GPS acts slightly off or your signals feel strange, well… blame the Sun, not your phone.