Core Viewpoint - A solar flare occurred on May 31, with potential geomagnetic storms affecting Earth for three consecutive days, particularly in northern China where auroras may be visible [1][3]. Group 1: Solar Activity - The solar activity region 14100 erupted, producing an M8.1 class medium flare, with soft X-ray flux peaking at 8:05 AM [3]. - Accompanying the flare was a coronal mass ejection, creating a shockwave that will propagate through the solar system [3]. - If no new flares occur on June 1 and 2, a minor geomagnetic storm is expected on June 3 [3]. Group 2: Solar Cycle and Predictions - Solar activity follows an approximately 11-year cycle, with the current 25th solar cycle having started in 2019 and now entering its peak year [5]. - The years 2024 and 2025 are anticipated to be high activity periods, likely resulting in more solar flares and geomagnetic storms [5]. Group 3: Effects of Geomagnetic Storms - Northern China may experience noticeable auroras, including red-green composite auroras [6]. - Geomagnetic storms do not significantly impact human health, although sensitive individuals may experience anxiety or sleep disturbances [7]. - Geomagnetic storms can disrupt communication, navigation, and satellite operations, affecting devices like smartphones and vehicles [7].

Core Points - A solar flare occurred on May 31, with a peak intensity of M8.1, indicating a moderate level of solar activity [2] - The solar activity is expected to cause geomagnetic storms on Earth for three consecutive days, with a possibility of auroras in northern regions of China [1][4] - The current solar cycle, which began in 2019, is at its peak phase, with increased solar activity anticipated through 2024 and 2025 [6] Summary by Category - **Solar Activity** - The solar flare originated from active region 14100, with soft X-ray flux rapidly increasing and peaking at M8.1 [2] - Accompanying the flare was a coronal mass ejection, creating a shockwave that propagates through the solar system [2] - **Geomagnetic Storms** - Earth is likely to experience geomagnetic storms due to the direct impact of the coronal mass ejection, with potential small storms expected on June 3 if no new flares occur [4] - Geomagnetic storms can disrupt satellite communications and navigation systems, but they do not pose health risks to humans [6] - **Auroras** - There is a forecast for visible auroras in northern China, with some areas potentially experiencing red-green composite auroras [6] - The phenomenon of auroras is a direct result of geomagnetic storms affecting high-latitude regions [6]

Core Insights - Solar physics is not only about exploring celestial phenomena but also has significant implications for national economy and people's livelihoods, with annual losses in China amounting to billions of RMB due to solar flares [1][3] - The sun, located 150 million kilometers from Earth, provides abundant solar energy through hydrogen fusion, which converts mass into energy according to Einstein's mass-energy equivalence principle [1][3] Group 1: Solar Phenomena - The sun is complex and dynamic, exhibiting numerous eruptive phenomena that can be observed using extreme ultraviolet or X-ray telescopes, with hundreds of small energy releases occurring at any given time [3] - Solar flares are the most intense explosive events in the solar atmosphere, lasting from minutes to hours, with energy equivalent to 10 billion atomic bombs, often accompanied by coronal mass ejections that can reach speeds of hundreds to thousands of kilometers per second [3] Group 2: Impact on Earth - Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere provide protection against solar eruptions, but coronal mass ejections can still lead to geomagnetic storms, resulting in beautiful auroras and potential disruptions to satellites [3] - High-energy particles from solar flares can damage satellites, causing charging and discharging issues, and even leading to satellite destruction, as evidenced by the loss of 40 Starlink satellites in 2022 due to a minor solar eruption [3] Group 3: Research and Development - The research team is continuously analyzing observational data from telescopes and conducting numerical simulations of solar flare phenomena, utilizing artificial intelligence to deepen the understanding of the physical mechanisms behind solar eruptions [4][5]