Today 5 years ago: X5.4 solar flare

Tuesday, 7 March 2017 13:15 UTC

The X5.4 solar flare is thus far the second strongest solar flare that occurred during the current 24th solar cycle. With solar cycle 24 slowly trending towards solar minimum it could very well remain the second strongest solar flare or do you have hopes that we will see a stronger solar flare than this before the next solar cycle starts?

These solar flares were associated with a massive asymmetrical full halo coronal mass ejection that was launched towards our planet. Two days later (2012/03/09) when the coronal mass ejection arrived at our planet, it caused a geomagnetic storm of the severe G4 geomagnetic storm category (Kp8) which is thus far the second strongest geomagnetic storm of this solar cycle. Do you remember seeing aurora on that date? Be sure to mention it in the comments!

Enjoy the video!