There has been a lot of activity on the sun lately. Most recently is the Sunspot AR1748. Since Monday this spot has already given off four “X-class” solar flares. Solar flares are classified as A, B, C, M or X. This goes by the peak flux which is in watts per square meter, W/m² of 100 to 800 picometre X-rays near earth with an X-class being the most hazardous with the potential for disruption to satellite signals, radio, and the electrical grid. At this point the flares have been directed away from Earth as the spot is located at the left edge of the sun, but it may not be much longer before the loaded gun is pointed right at us and she has anything left in that spot it may be a direct hit.
SpaceWeather.com says that we may actually see a possible CME impact on May 17th which would be a glancing blow by the most recent flare. They also say, “the active region continues to grow beneath a delta-class magnetic field that harbors energy for powerful eruptions.” So far AR1748 has produced more X-flares than every other sunspot of the past year combined. The last flare was a X3.2 class flare on may 14th.
With this upcoming event, it could trigger a dazzling display of lights in the sky in the Northwest regions which bring the Northern lights much further South than normal. Major solar flares have been known to bring rare aurora sightings to Arizona and Florida.