A CME launched from sunspot AR2014 on March 23rd is expected
to deliver a glancing blow to Earth's magnetic field on March 25th.
NOAA forecasters estimate a 30%-40% chance of polar geomagnetic storms on March 25-26.
On March 23rd around 0330 UT, the magnetic canopy of sunspot AR2014 became
unstable and erupted, producing a long-duration C-class solar flare.
Although C-class flares are considered to be minor, this one lasted
so long (several hours) that it unleashed the energy-equivalent of a much stronger flare.
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded the action.
