Solar Flare vs. Plasmasphere

The appropriately-named Nova Express informs us, "According to the Space Weather Page, 'A powerful X-class solar flare erupted...today at 1530 UT. The flare could trigger radio blackouts and high radiation levels in low-earth orbit...the leading edge of the disturbance will trigger geomagnetic storms when it passes by Earth in 30 - 45 hours.'" Coincidentally, Tei'ehm Teuw passed along this article showing what it'll collide with when it gets here: our plasmasphere, the shell of ions and electrons lying at the top of our atmosphere and extending far out into space. This press release has some amazing photos and movies taken by an equally amazing satellite.