Earth hit by biggest 'solar radiation storm' in 23 years, triggering Northern Lights as far as Southern California

Earth was struck by a record-breaking solar radiation storm triggered by a powerful X-class solar flare, creating the strongest such event in 23 years and generating widespread Northern Lights visible as far south as California, Alabama, and Georgia. The geomagnetic storm reached severe G4 status twice, causing potential radio blackouts and spacecraft disruptions while painting auroras across Europe and unusually low latitudes in North America.