He went and did it again.
Massive sunspot AR3664 has unleashed the most powerful solar flare ever, and Earth is once again in the line of fire.
The X3.98 burst peaked early this morning (May 10) at 02:54 (0654 GMT) and triggered a temporary or complete loss of high-frequency (HF) radio signals across Asia, Eastern Europe and East Africa.
Relating to: 4 major solar flares this weekend could strengthen auroras
This morning’s X3.98 flare is not only AR3664’s largest solar flare to date, but also the 4th largest solar flare this solar cycle, according to a solar physicist. Keith Strong‘s post about X.
Solar flares are explosions caused by sunspots on our sun’s surface that emit intense bursts of electromagnetic radiation. They are divided into letter groups according to their size; Class X flares are the most powerful. Next are class M flares, which are 10 times less powerful than class X flares, and then come class C flares, which are 10 times weaker than class M flares. Class B flares are 10 times weaker than class C flares and finally class A flares are 10 times weaker than class B flares and No visible results on Earth. In each class, numbers 1 through 10 (and beyond that for class X flares) indicate the relative power of a flare.
Radio blackouts
Shortwave radio blackouts like those witnessed this morning in Asia, Eastern Europe and East Africa are common events shortly after powerful solar flares due to strong X-ray pulses and extreme ultraviolet radiation emitted during the event.
Radiation moves towards Earth. speed of light and ionizes the upper part (gives an electric charge). earth atmosphereIt creates a higher density environment through which radio signals can travel. (Note: These ionizing X-rays coronal mass breakthroughs, or CMEs, where plasma and magnetic fields explode Sun. CMEs travel at slower speeds and usually take several days to reach Earth.)
As they attempt to propagate through this ionized layer, radio waves can no longer avoid interacting with the electrons that fill their surroundings. In doing so, the radio waves lose energy due to more frequent collisions with electrons. This may result in radio signals being distorted or completely absorbed. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC).
Oncoming solar storms
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This latest X-luminosity burst was also accompanied by a CME, a large plasma and magnetic field ejection from the sun.
Solar physicist Keith Strong posted on X: “CME CONFIRMED FROM LAST
According to the space weather and aurora website, “A CME is visible at this time and the mass appears to be heading west, although an Earth-directed component is still possible.” SolarHam’s post about X.
This isn’t much of a surprise. AR3664 has been at the forefront of solar weather news this past week, along with its explosive “cousin” AR366, which has since drifted around the solar disk and beyond Earth’s view.
Just yesterday (May 9), NOAA’s SWPC issued a G4-level geomagnetic storm watch for this weekend. The predicted high geomagnetic activity is a result of several CMEs currently hurtling toward Earth. several large solar flares a few days ago.
Read more: 4 major solar flares this weekend could strengthen auroras
increased solar activity
Last week’s incredibly active sun is a good indication that we’re approaching solar maximum, the peak period of solar activity during the sun’s approximately 11-year solar cycle.
Solar scientists watch the sun carefully as it approaches solar maximum because such high activity could actually impact our lives on Earth.
Energetic solar flares can significantly impact spacecraft. satellites and ground-based technologies move at the speed of light and give little notice before attacking. That’s why numerous organizations, including NASA, NOAA, and the U.S. Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA), monitor the sun closely. These organizations can send alerts to technology and infrastructure sectors vulnerable to solar flare activity so that appropriate precautions can be taken in the event of potentially harmful space weather.
“We cannot ignore space weatherBut we can take appropriate precautions to protect ourselves,” says NASA.
But you don’t need to worry; So-called “lethal flares” do not exist. Although solar flares can significantly disrupt the technological world, they do not contain enough energy to cause permanent damage to the Earth.
“Even in the worst case scenario, the Sun’s explosions are not physically capable of destroying the Earth,” NASA says.