Sun unleashes colossal solar flare and coronal mass ejection, raising the chances of northern lights this week

CME eruption in upper left corner. The bright speck of light to the right is Mercury. (Image credit: SOHO LASCO C3) A powerful M5.7 solar flare erupted from the sun on May 10, unleashing an impressive coronal mass ejection (CME) that could deliver Earth a glancing blow later this week and potentially spark northern lights displays at high latitudes. The eruption peaked at 9:39 a.m. …