Powerful Solar Flare Hits Earth as More Storms Are Expected This Week

A strong solar flare recently struck Earth, causing brief radio blackouts and GPS signal problems. NASA and NOAA have warned that more solar storms may come from the Sun’s most active region. The latest flare, classified as X2.7, is the strongest recorded this year. It has already disrupted communications in parts of the Middle East and may affect more areas soon.

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded the powerful flare coming from a newly formed sunspot on the Sun’s surface. The flare sent intense radiation toward Earth’s ionosphere, the charged layer high in the atmosphere. This radiation disturbed radio signals and caused blackouts lasting about ten minutes in the Middle East. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the radiation mainly affected the sunlit side of Earth, where the flare hit.

Solar flares occur when magnetic energy builds up in the Sun’s atmosphere and suddenly releases in a burst of radiation. These flares often start near sunspots, which are cooler, darker spots on the Sun’s surface. The strength of a solar flare is measured by its X-ray brightness. The recent X2.7 flare is near the highest level on this scale, showing very strong energy.

When flares like this reach Earth, they quickly affect the ionosphere. This causes interference in high-frequency radio waves used for communication and navigation. Aircraft, ships, and satellite systems can lose contact or have trouble working during these events.

Experts warn that the active sunspot region may produce more flares soon. These could continue to disrupt radio communication, GPS navigation, and even power grids in some areas. Spacecraft and astronauts could face higher radiation risks during these storms.

Solar storms can disrupt many technologies used daily. GPS devices may lose accuracy and radio communications may fail, especially in areas facing the Sun during a flare. Power grids might experience fluctuations if the storms are strong. NASA and other space agencies monitor solar activity constantly and provide warnings to airlines, satellite operators, and power companies to prepare for potential problems. Some satellites can be put into safe mode to avoid damage during strong solar radiation.

Solar flares have caused issues before. A large solar storm in 1989 led to a power blackout in Quebec, Canada. More recent smaller flares cause brief communication outages or GPS errors worldwide. Scientists track these events closely to improve forecasting and safety.

People can check updates on solar activity from NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center and NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory. These organizations publish alerts and forecasts to help the public and industries prepare for solar storms.