MonsterRideOp t1_j97hdpk wrote on February 19, 2023 at 9:07 PM

Reply to comment by ArmChairAnalyst86 in Sun unleashes massive X2-class solar flare during geomagnetic storm watch (video) by Realistic-Plant3957

A major factor in the strength of a geomagnetic storm is the strength of the Earth's magnetic field. It's been dropping since we first started measuring it and has fallen by at least 20%. As it continues to drop weaker CMEs will cause stronger storms and strong CMEs that the field would usually just shrug off now have a larger chance to cause damage to our electrical infrastructure.

ArmChairAnalyst86 t1_j97jthw wrote on February 19, 2023 at 9:24 PM

Yeah, no kidding. It's doing some weird things. I think it may have factored into the red aurorae becoming more common like this past week despite the relatively low magnitude events observed.

It's astonishing how much we have left to learn about the dynamics of our solar system alone. I still think that despite the weakening of the magnetosphere, it still is mostly a game of luck with the flare itself. A large and powerful flare aimed directly at earth is a very bad day.

MonsterRideOp t1_j97kj1t wrote on February 19, 2023 at 9:29 PM

No doubt there, just look at what happened during the Carrington event. That flare was estimated at X40 and set telegraph lines on fire. If we got hit with one of similar strength today it would be devastating.