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Huge solar storm may hit earth today, Friday the 13th

  • A solar flare bursts off the left limb of the sun in this image captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory at 07:41 EST (11:41 GMT) June 10, 2014, This is classified as an X2.2 flare, shown in a blend of two wavelengths of light: 171 and 131 angstroms, colorized in gold and red, respectively, according to a NASA news release. REUTERS/NASA/SDO/Goddard/Wiessinger/Handout via Reuters
    1/19

    A solar flare bursts off the left limb of the sun in this image captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory

    A solar flare bursts off the left limb of the sun in this image captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory at 07:41 EST (11:41 GMT) June 10, 2014, This is classified as an X2.2 flare, shown in a blend of two wavelengths of light: 171 and 131 angstroms, colorized in gold and red, respectively, according to a NASA news release. REUTERS/NASA/SDO/Goddard/Wiessinger/Handout via Reuters
    Reuters
  • This image provided by NASA shows an image captured by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory of a blast of plasma streaming from the sun in August 2012. Scientists say a solar eruption was detected on March 5, 2013 and was headed toward Mars. NASA’s Curiosity rover will postpone some activities but other Mars missions will operate normally.
    2/19

    Spectacular solar storms

    This image provided by NASA shows an image captured by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory of a blast of plasma streaming from the sun in August 2012. Scientists say a solar eruption was detected on March 5, 2013 and was headed toward Mars. NASA’s Curiosity rover will postpone some activities but other Mars missions will operate normally.
    NASA
  • This still from a NASA video shows the New Year's Eve sun eruption of Dec. 31, 2012, to kick off the New Year. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured the video.
    3/19

    Spectacular solar storms

    This still from a NASA video shows the New Year's Eve sun eruption of Dec. 31, 2012, to kick off the New Year. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured the video.
    NASA
  • NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory satellite captured this photo of the X-class solar flare unleashed from the sun Oct. 22, 2012.
    4/19

    Spectacular solar storms

    NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory satellite captured this photo of the X-class solar flare unleashed from the sun Oct. 22, 2012.
    NASA
  • A solar prominence rose up and swept away from the sun as captured in this image at 4:15 a.m. EDT on Oct. 19, 2012.
    5/19

    Spectacular solar storms

    A solar prominence rose up and swept away from the sun as captured in this image at 4:15 a.m. EDT on Oct. 19, 2012.
    NASA
  • A pinkish-purple filament of hot plasma connects two sunspots in this ultraviolet view recorded by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory spacecraft on Aug. 4, 2012.
    6/19

    Spectacular solar storms

    A pinkish-purple filament of hot plasma connects two sunspots in this ultraviolet view recorded by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory spacecraft on Aug. 4, 2012.
    NASA
  • The Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of an M1.2 class flare on June 13, 2012. The sun is shown here in teal as this is the color typically used to represent light in the 131 Angstrom wavelength, a wavelength particularly good for
    7/19

    Spectacular solar storms

    The Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of an M1.2 class flare on June 13, 2012. The sun is shown here in teal as this is the color typically used to represent light in the 131 Angstrom wavelength, a wavelength particularly good for
    NASA
  • A long filament of solar material that had been hovering in the Sun's atmosphere, the corona, erupts out into space at 4:36 p.m. EDT on August 31, 2012. The coronal mass ejection, or CME, traveled at over 900 miles per second. The CME did not travel directly toward Earth, but did connect with Earth's magnetic environment, or magnetosphere, causing aurora to appear on the night of September 3, 2012. The image above includes an image of Earth to show the size of the CME compared to the size of Earth. REUTERS/NASA/GSFC/SDO/Handout
    8/19

    Major Solar flare

    A long filament of solar material that had been hovering in the Sun's atmosphere, the corona, erupts out into space at 4:36 p.m. EDT on August 31, 2012. The coronal mass ejection, or CME, traveled at over 900 miles per second. The CME did not travel directly toward Earth, but did connect with Earth's magnetic environment, or magnetosphere, causing aurora to appear on the night of September 3, 2012. The image above includes an image of Earth to show the size of the CME compared to the size of Earth. REUTERS/NASA/GSFC/SDO/Handout
    NASA
  • NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) images of filament on the Sun are shown here in various wavelengths of light on August 31, 2012. Starting from the upper left and going clockwise they represent light in the: 335, 171, 304 and 131 Angstrom wavelengths. Since each wavelength of light generally corresponds to solar material at a particular temperature, scientists can compare images like this to observe how the material moves during an eruption. REUTERS/NASA/SDO/AIA/GSFC/Handout
    9/19

    Major Solar flare

    NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) images of filament on the Sun are shown here in various wavelengths of light on August 31, 2012. Starting from the upper left and going clockwise they represent light in the: 335, 171, 304 and 131 Angstrom wavelengths. Since each wavelength of light generally corresponds to solar material at a particular temperature, scientists can compare images like this to observe how the material moves during an eruption. REUTERS/NASA/SDO/AIA/GSFC/Handout
    NASA
  • NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) images of filament on the Sun are shown here in various wavelengths of light on August 31, 2012. Starting from the upper left and going clockwise they represent light in the: 335, 171, 304 and 131 Angstrom wavelengths. Since each wavelength of light generally corresponds to solar material at a particular temperature, scientists can compare images like this to observe how the material moves during an eruption. REUTERS/NASA/SDO/AIA/GSFC/Handout
    10/19

    Major Solar flare

    NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) images of filament on the Sun are shown here in various wavelengths of light on August 31, 2012. Starting from the upper left and going clockwise they represent light in the: 335, 171, 304 and 131 Angstrom wavelengths. Since each wavelength of light generally corresponds to solar material at a particular temperature, scientists can compare images like this to observe how the material moves during an eruption. REUTERS/NASA/SDO/AIA/GSFC/Handout
    NASA
  • Magnetic loops on the sun are seen in this NASA handout image captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) on July 19, 2012 and released February 15, 2013. A series of loops such as this is known as a flux rope, and these lie at the heart of eruptions on the sun known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs.) REUTERS/NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center/SDO/Handout
    11/19

    Magnetic loops on the sun are seen in this NASA handout image

    Magnetic loops on the sun are seen in this NASA handout image captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) on July 19, 2012 and released February 15, 2013. A series of loops such as this is known as a flux rope, and these lie at the heart of eruptions on the sun known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs.) REUTERS/NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center/SDO/Handout
    Reuters
  • An X1.4 class flare erupted from the center of the sun, peaking on July 12, 2012 at 12:52 PM EDT. It erupted from Active Region 1520 which rotated into view on July 6.
    12/19

    Major Solar flare

    An X1.4 class flare erupted from the center of the sun, peaking on July 12, 2012 at 12:52 PM EDT. It erupted from Active Region 1520 which rotated into view on July 6.
    NASA
  • This NASA image, captured by the Solar Dynamics Observatory, shows the M5.3 class solar flare that peaked on July 4, 2012, at 5:55 AM EDT. The flare is shown in the 131 Angstrom wavelength, a wavelength that is particularly good for capturing the radiation emitted from flares. The wavelength is typically colorized in teal as shown here.
    13/19

    Major Solar flare

    This NASA image, captured by the Solar Dynamics Observatory, shows the M5.3 class solar flare that peaked on July 4, 2012, at 5:55 AM EDT. The flare is shown in the 131 Angstrom wavelength, a wavelength that is particularly good for capturing the radiation emitted from flares. The wavelength is typically colorized in teal as shown here.
    NASA
  • This image combines two sets of observations of the sun at 10:45 AM EDT, July 12, 2012 from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) to give an impression of what the sun looked like shortly before it unleashed an X-class flare beginning at 12:11 PM EDT. The image incorporates light in the 171 Angstrom wavelength, which shows off giant loops of solar material overlying the middle of the sun over Active Region 1520 where the flare originated. The second set of observations is called a magnetogram, which highlights magnetic fields on the sun. Together these kinds of observations can help scientists understand the magnetic properties of the sun that lead to giant explosions like flares.
    14/19

    Major Solar flare

    This image combines two sets of observations of the sun at 10:45 AM EDT, July 12, 2012 from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) to give an impression of what the sun looked like shortly before it unleashed an X-class flare beginning at 12:11 PM EDT. The image incorporates light in the 171 Angstrom wavelength, which shows off giant loops of solar material overlying the middle of the sun over Active Region 1520 where the flare originated. The second set of observations is called a magnetogram, which highlights magnetic fields on the sun. Together these kinds of observations can help scientists understand the magnetic properties of the sun that lead to giant explosions like flares.
    NASA
  • A beautiful prominence eruption shot off the east limb (left side) of the sun on Monday, April 16, 2012. This view of the flare was recorded by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. CREDIT: NASA/GSFC/SDO
    15/19

    Major Solar flare

    A beautiful prominence eruption shot off the east limb (left side) of the sun on Monday, April 16, 2012. This view of the flare was recorded by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. CREDIT: NASA/GSFC/SDO
    NASA
  • M1.7 solar flare of 17:45 UT on April 16, 2012, tweeted by SDO. They added: "Great eruption happening on the sun now. Stay tuned for the movie #NASA #SUN." CREDIT: NASA/SDO
    16/19

    Major Solar flare

    M1.7 solar flare of 17:45 UT on April 16, 2012, tweeted by SDO. They added: "Great eruption happening on the sun now. Stay tuned for the movie #NASA #SUN." CREDIT: NASA/SDO
    NASA
  • This July 11, 2012 image of the Sun provided by NASA'a Solar and Heliospheric Observatory shows gigantic sunspot AR 1520. One of the biggest sunspots in years, AR1520, is turning toward Earth and harbors energy for strong solar flares. NOAA forecasters estimate an 80% chance of M-flares and a 25% chance of X-flares during the next 24 hours.
    17/19

    Major Solar flare erupts from giant sunspot

    This July 11, 2012 image of the Sun provided by NASA'a Solar and Heliospheric Observatory shows gigantic sunspot AR 1520. One of the biggest sunspots in years, AR1520, is turning toward Earth and harbors energy for strong solar flares. NOAA forecasters estimate an 80% chance of M-flares and a 25% chance of X-flares during the next 24 hours.
    NASA / SOHO
  • The sun unleashed two massive X-class solar flares on March 6, 2012. The flare erupted from the giant active sunspot AR1429.
    18/19

    Solar flare

    The sun unleashed two massive X-class solar flares on March 6, 2012. The flare erupted from the giant active sunspot AR1429.
    NASA/SDO
  • This image provided Wednesday, April 21, 2010 by NASA shows an eruptive prominence blasting away from the sun, upper left, March 30, 2010 observed by the Solar Dynamics Observatory satellite. NASA on Wednesday unveiled the first images from the new satellite designed to predict disruptive solar storms, and scientists say they're already learning new things. (AP Photo/NASA)
    19/19

    Solar storms

    This image provided Wednesday, April 21, 2010 by NASA shows an eruptive prominence blasting away from the sun, upper left, March 30, 2010 observed by the Solar Dynamics Observatory satellite. NASA on Wednesday unveiled the first images from the new satellite designed to predict disruptive solar storms, and scientists say they're already learning new things. (AP Photo/NASA)
A solar flare bursts off the left limb of the sun in this image captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory at 07:41 EST (11:41 GMT) June 10, 2014, This is classified as an X2.2 flare, shown in a blend of two wavelengths of light: 171 and 131 angstroms, colorized in gold and red, respectively, according to a NASA news release. REUTERS/NASA/SDO/Goddard/Wiessinger/Handout via Reuters
This image provided by NASA shows an image captured by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory of a blast of plasma streaming from the sun in August 2012. Scientists say a solar eruption was detected on March 5, 2013 and was headed toward Mars. NASA’s Curiosity rover will postpone some activities but other Mars missions will operate normally.
This still from a NASA video shows the New Year's Eve sun eruption of Dec. 31, 2012, to kick off the New Year. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured the video.
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory satellite captured this photo of the X-class solar flare unleashed from the sun Oct. 22, 2012.
A solar prominence rose up and swept away from the sun as captured in this image at 4:15 a.m. EDT on Oct. 19, 2012.
A pinkish-purple filament of hot plasma connects two sunspots in this ultraviolet view recorded by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory spacecraft on Aug. 4, 2012.
The Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of an M1.2 class flare on June 13, 2012. The sun is shown here in teal as this is the color typically used to represent light in the 131 Angstrom wavelength, a wavelength particularly good for
A long filament of solar material that had been hovering in the Sun's atmosphere, the corona, erupts out into space at 4:36 p.m. EDT on August 31, 2012. The coronal mass ejection, or CME, traveled at over 900 miles per second. The CME did not travel directly toward Earth, but did connect with Earth's magnetic environment, or magnetosphere, causing aurora to appear on the night of September 3, 2012. The image above includes an image of Earth to show the size of the CME compared to the size of Earth. REUTERS/NASA/GSFC/SDO/Handout
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) images of filament on the Sun are shown here in various wavelengths of light on August 31, 2012. Starting from the upper left and going clockwise they represent light in the: 335, 171, 304 and 131 Angstrom wavelengths. Since each wavelength of light generally corresponds to solar material at a particular temperature, scientists can compare images like this to observe how the material moves during an eruption. REUTERS/NASA/SDO/AIA/GSFC/Handout
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) images of filament on the Sun are shown here in various wavelengths of light on August 31, 2012. Starting from the upper left and going clockwise they represent light in the: 335, 171, 304 and 131 Angstrom wavelengths. Since each wavelength of light generally corresponds to solar material at a particular temperature, scientists can compare images like this to observe how the material moves during an eruption. REUTERS/NASA/SDO/AIA/GSFC/Handout
Magnetic loops on the sun are seen in this NASA handout image captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) on July 19, 2012 and released February 15, 2013. A series of loops such as this is known as a flux rope, and these lie at the heart of eruptions on the sun known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs.) REUTERS/NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center/SDO/Handout
An X1.4 class flare erupted from the center of the sun, peaking on July 12, 2012 at 12:52 PM EDT. It erupted from Active Region 1520 which rotated into view on July 6.
This NASA image, captured by the Solar Dynamics Observatory, shows the M5.3 class solar flare that peaked on July 4, 2012, at 5:55 AM EDT. The flare is shown in the 131 Angstrom wavelength, a wavelength that is particularly good for capturing the radiation emitted from flares. The wavelength is typically colorized in teal as shown here.
This image combines two sets of observations of the sun at 10:45 AM EDT, July 12, 2012 from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) to give an impression of what the sun looked like shortly before it unleashed an X-class flare beginning at 12:11 PM EDT. The image incorporates light in the 171 Angstrom wavelength, which shows off giant loops of solar material overlying the middle of the sun over Active Region 1520 where the flare originated. The second set of observations is called a magnetogram, which highlights magnetic fields on the sun. Together these kinds of observations can help scientists understand the magnetic properties of the sun that lead to giant explosions like flares.
A beautiful prominence eruption shot off the east limb (left side) of the sun on Monday, April 16, 2012. This view of the flare was recorded by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. CREDIT: NASA/GSFC/SDO
M1.7 solar flare of 17:45 UT on April 16, 2012, tweeted by SDO. They added: "Great eruption happening on the sun now. Stay tuned for the movie #NASA #SUN." CREDIT: NASA/SDO
This July 11, 2012 image of the Sun provided by NASA'a Solar and Heliospheric Observatory shows gigantic sunspot AR 1520. One of the biggest sunspots in years, AR1520, is turning toward Earth and harbors energy for strong solar flares. NOAA forecasters estimate an 80% chance of M-flares and a 25% chance of X-flares during the next 24 hours.
The sun unleashed two massive X-class solar flares on March 6, 2012. The flare erupted from the giant active sunspot AR1429.
This image provided Wednesday, April 21, 2010 by NASA shows an eruptive prominence blasting away from the sun, upper left, March 30, 2010 observed by the Solar Dynamics Observatory satellite. NASA on Wednesday unveiled the first images from the new satellite designed to predict disruptive solar storms, and scientists say they're already learning new things. (AP Photo/NASA)
Yahoo Movies

If your mobile networks are affected today, Friday the 13th, blame it on solar flares. Three extremely powerful solar flares that the sun has emitted could send shockwaves through earth on Friday, scientists fear, news.com.au reports. The solar flares may disrupt the communication lines, causing blackouts. The three solar flares were all 'X-class' flares, which are almost 10,000 times as powerful as normal background flares from the sun.

Solar flares, according to Live Science, are 'powerful bursts of radiation that are unleashed from the sun and speed out into space. They can sometimes produce waves of plasma and charged particles, called coronal mass ejections (CMEs). When aimed directly at Earth, CMEs can trigger geomagnetic storms and knock out communications and power grids on Earth.'