[xcamel]

One of the largest flares ever recorded happened in November of 2003 (X28 on a scale that only goes from X1 to X9), and would have wrecked havoc all over the earth, if it wasn't for the dumb luck of the earth being exactly 90 degrees perpendicular to the blast when it happened. (270 degrees out of rotational phase)

6 November 2003
It has been announced that the massive solar X-ray flare which occurred on 4 November was, at best estimate, an X28. There is still a small chance this will be revised by a small amount, but it is now official: We have a new number 1 X-ray flare for the record books, the most powerful in recorded observational history.

[Max in Utah]

One of the largest flares ever recorded happened in November of 2003 (X28 on a scale that only goes from X1 to X9), and would have wrecked havoc all over the earth, if it wasn't for the dumb luck of the earth being exactly 90 degrees perpendicular to the blast when it happened. (270 degrees out of rotational phase)

Now there's a good case for wearing a tin foil sombrero...and poncho.

Did they say anything about what sort of damage would have been expected from a direct hit?

[united1000]

One of the largest flares ever recorded happened in November of 2003 (X28 on a scale that only goes from X1 to X9), and would have wrecked havoc all over the earth, if it wasn't for the dumb luck of the earth being exactly 90 degrees perpendicular to the blast when it happened. (270 degrees out of rotational phase)

 

If I remember my dates correct I also saw the Aurora here is Indiana that November. I had not seen it like that since I was a kid.