The WSA-Enlil Solar Wind Prediction model currently shows a near-direct Coronal Mass Ejection [CME] impact Thursday morning (U.S. time) from last nights massive X5.4-class flare which erupted at 7:02 p.m. EST (0002 March 7 GMT).
On the page at this link http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/wsa-enlil/cme-based/, The Sun is the yellow dot in the center and the Earth is the green dot on the right. It may take a moment to load but watch as the flare impacts earth on March 8 at 08:00 on the Latest CME-based model run.
Screenshot [view looking from above the solar system] : CME at 14:00 on March 8 2012 after impacting earth. The Sun is the yellow dot in the center and the Earth is the green dot on the right.
Here's a short video _
Major X5.4 Solar Flare + CME - Presentation (3/7/2012)
The second strongest solar flare of Cycle 24 in terms of X-Ray Flux, just peaked around Active Sunspot 1429. This major event measured X5.4 at 00:24 UTC and triggered a strong R3 Level Radio Blackout. A bright Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) was produced and is most likely Earth directed. This movie has various images and slide shows by SDO, STEREO Behind COR2 and EVE.
