Huge Solar Flares Hit Earth

A trio of waves of magnetic energy are expected to buffet the planet Friday.

Quick, to the fallout shelter! Well actually, solar flares aren’t dangerous but can disrupt power grids and communication systems. Scientists are watching for signs of such trouble today after three flares, known as coronal mass ejections, were observed on the sun between Feb. 14 -16. They were expected to begin hitting the Earth’s magnetic shield Thursday night. The sudden release of magnetic energy from the sun marks the end of a period of relative inactivity on the sun’s surface, and the three flares are the largest in four years. The flare observed on Feb. 15 is classified as an X-flare, the most intense type.