Geomagnetic storm watch issued after solar flare detected

A "significant" solar flare, or Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) exploded from the sun on October 28, NASA reported, prompting the agency to issue a "strong geomagnetic storm watch" for October 30.

Footage captured by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory shows the flare, classified as an "X1-class flare."

"X-class denotes the most intense flares, while the number provides more information about its strength. An X2 is twice as intense as an X1, an X3 is three times as intense, etc," NASA said.

As a result of the flare, auroras may be visible in Iowa, Oregon, and Pennsylvania over the weekend, the NOAA said.

NASA SDO via Storyful