Following the M3 solar flare that occurred January 19, a more powerful M9 erupted January 23 at 0400 GMT (11pm Jan 22 EST). The blast was once again directed toward Earth, and is the largest since May 2005.
The coronal mass ejection is expected to reach earth on Tuesday @ 1400 UTC (9 AM EST), kicking off a geomagnetic storm that should last through Wednesday.
The increase in activity is due to the fact that the Sun is is heading toward the most active period in its 11-year cycle, known as solar maximum, which it should reach next year.
NOAA reports that some airline flights over the north pole have been rerouted, while some flights at high latitudes are flying at lower altitudes. NASA expects that the storm will pose no danger to the the six astronauts aboard the International Space Station.
Last week’s solar storm generated an impressive auroral display that could be seen in Northern Canada and Scandanavia. The time lapse video below was recorded at Tromvik, Norway, on Saturday night.
