X-Class Flare Hurled A Significant CME Into Space - The CME Will Hit Both The Comet And Earth

Active sunspot AR3842 erupted again on Oct. 7th (1913 UTC), producing an X2-class solar flare (movie). The explosion hurled a significant CME into space. SOHO coronagraph images show the CME and Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, which is passing between Earth and the sun today. The CME is going to hit both the comet and Earth, in that order. The CME will strike the comet later today or perhaps early on Oct. 9th, The impact could actually rip off the comet's tail. The same thing happened to Comet Enke in April 2007. A broken tail is something astronomers should look for when Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS emerges from the sun's glare later this week. According to a NASA model, the CME will graze Earth late on Oct. 9th or early on Oct. 10th. The impact could cause another strong geomagnetic storm with auroras at mid-latitudes in the USA and Europe. NOAA analysts are looking at this CME now and may soon issue a refined forecast. #CME #comettsuchinshanatlas #solarstorm Images credit: SOHO/LASCO, STEREO-A, NASA, nemesis maturity channel Music credit: YouTube Audio Library Lazy Laura - Quincas Moreira