Solar Storm 2014: Massive Solar Storm Heading Towards Earth; Classified as an 'X-Class Flare' [PHOTO]

According to Sky and Telescope, the Sun erupted with a powerful flare this past Wednesday afternoon. CNN reports that this flare is known as a coronal mass ejection, which is a giant burst of radiation. This ejection followed a weaker ejection that occurred this past Monday, and both are on their way towards Earth.

The stronger of the flares that occurred was classified as an "X-class" flare, which is at the high end of the solar flare scale. USA Today reports that major disruptions are not expected, but there could be some disturbances satellites and radio transmission this weekend as well as some fluctuations in the Earth's power grid.

Nevertheless, the Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a strong geomagnetic storm watch. CNN meteorologist Chad Meyers stated, "This is a pretty strong solar storm, and we won't know until it gets here [what it will do,]" highlighting the mysterious nature of the storm.

Bill Murtagh, space weather forecaster for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, commented, "We expect geomagnetic storm levels in the G2 (moderate) and G3 (strong) range... G2-G3 geomagnetic storms can cause some problems for the [power] grid but are typically very manageable...Problems with the accuracy of GPS have been observed with this level of storming," outlining the possible outcomes of the storm.

There is an upside to the storm, though. It could trigger displays of auroras over locations northward of latitude 45 degrees north, which includes Oregon, Illinois, New England, and northern Europe. Sky and Telescope report that auroras, or "northern lights," can appear as shimmering greenish curtains of light suspended in the sky. Stronger auroras can also appear with tinges of blue or red.

Unfortunately, people in the Southern parts of the US will probably not get to see the auroras, but it wouldn't hurt to take a look at the night sky this weekend just in case.