It will hit Earth by July 20th. This a proton storm, positive charge in line with where we are in the binary polarity of the DNA harmomic, our evolution.
GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH: Intermittent G1-class geomagnetic storms are possible for the next 2 days as Earth’s magnetic field reverberates from a series of CME impacts and near misses since July 16th. The storms could intensify to category G2 or G3 on July 20th when a new and more potent CME arrives. See below. Aurora alerts: SMS Text
A SIGNIFICANT EXPLOSION ON THE SUN (UPDATED): We’ve been waiting for this. Big sunspot AR3363 just produced a significant solar flare, a long-duration M6-class event during the early hours of July 18th. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded the blast near the sun’s southwestern limb:
Energetic protons accelerated by the flare have reached Earth and are now peppering the top of our planet’s atmosphere. This is called a “radiation storm.” According to data from NOAA’s GOES-16 satellite, it is a category S2 event.
Although the explosion was not X-class, it was more powerful than many X-flares would be. Why? Because it lasted so long. The flare’s X-ray output was above M5 for more than an hour and above M1 for nearly 4 hours. It had plenty of time to lift a substantial CME out of the sun’s atmosphere.
Indeed, SOHO coronagraphs have since detected a bright CME emerging from the blast site:
The snowy speckles in this image are energetic protons striking SOHO’s camera system
Although the CME is not heading directly for Earth, it appears to have an Earth-directed component. A NASA model suggests it could deliver an effective glancing blow as early as July 20th (0000 UT). NOAA is doing their own modeling, and results should be available soon.
Our preliminary forecast: The CME’s flank will reach Earth on July 20th. Its impact could spark G1 to G2-class geomagnetic storms, with a slight chance of G3. Stay tuned. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text
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