On March 23, 2024, NOAA and partner satellites began observing multiple solar flares, culminating in a powerful X-class solar flare and a subsequent surge of extremely hot plasma called a coronal mass ejection (CME). This CME traveled towards Earth at breakneck speed, ultimately making contact at 10:37 a.m. EDT (1437 GMT) on Sunday, March 24. The ensuing collision triggered a severe G4-class geomagnetic storm—the most potent solar storm since 2017.
Observations and Trajectory
NOAA and partner satellites began tracking the multiple solar flares on March 23, 2024. The culmination of these observations was a powerful X-class solar flare, which was immediately followed by a coronal mass ejection (CME)—a surge of extremely hot plasma. This CME traveled towards Earth at a rapid pace.
Impact and Consequences
The CME made contact with Earth at 10:37 a.m. EDT (1437 GMT) on Sunday, March 24. The resulting collision triggered a severe G4-class geomagnetic storm, the most potent solar storm since 2017.