NASA reported Sun Releases Significant Solar Flare that is set to hit the Earth on Saturday. It has been classified and X1-class flare. X-class denotes the most intense flares, while the number provides more information about its strength. An X2 is twice as intense as an X1, an X3 is three times as intense, etc. Flares that are classified X10 or stronger are considered unusually intense.
The concern is that the solar flare overwhelms the protective geomagnetic field that surrounds the Earth and exposes it to harmful radiation. Not only is this harmful to all of life, but it can be particularly damaging to satellites circling the Earth and in the process disrupt communications and GPS.
Earlier this year I posted on how this current solar activity cycle has begun strongly, New Solar Cycle starts on a Tear and will not peak until 2025. With our increased dependence upon digital communication we are increasingly vulnerable.
