A huge solar flare, the largest since 2017, has been detected ejecting from the surface of the Sun.

Solar flares consist of electromagnetic radiation that travels from the Sun at the speed of light and can to reach Earth in about 8 minutes.

They can disrupt some radio communications and satellites, but most of us are unlikely to see these effects.

Also, there is a possibility of northern latitudes to see the Northern Lights this weekend as two geomagnetic storms predicted to hit Earth.

Solar flares, however, do not cause the Northern Lights. They are caused by a phenomenon called coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that erupt from an active sunspot. Combined with flares, they can create solar stormss that interact with the Earth’s magnetic field or magnetosphere.

CMEs eject plasma and magnetic fields, as well as billions of tons of material, that can hit Earth. As our magnetosphere repels the storm, it creates the aurora.

“There is a possibility of a coronal mass ejection reaching Earth late Friday or early Saturday, which could lead to in visible aurora over Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of northern England’said Krista Hammond, director of Met Office Space.

Eto second CME is likely to hit her Earth on Saturday and Sunday. This means that “enhanced visibility of the aurora is possible further south throughout central England and at similar latitudes, although cloud cover and rain could hinder visibility for some,” says Krista Hammond.

In the UPA, the aurora can be seen in the northern states and from the Midwest to Oregon, according to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center.

The X9 solar flare emitted is the largest NASA has classified.