Three Powerful X-Class Solar Flares Disrupt Radio Communications
In a stunning display of solar activity, three powerful X-class solar flares erupted from the sun between Wednesday and Thursday. These flares, ranked on a scale of intensity that goes from A to X, are the most powerful of the current eleven-year solar cycle. The first two flares, measuring X1.9 and X1.6 magnitude respectively, occurred seven hours apart. The third flare, however, stole the show with an impressive X6.3 magnitude.
Solar flares, also known as bursts of radiation, originate from sunspots on the surface of the sun. Sunspots are most common during the peak of the 11-year solar cycle, which is expected to occur this year as part of cycle number 25. The increased number of sunspots provides more opportunities for solar flares to occur.
These solar flares, along with their accompanying coronal mass ejections (CMEs), can have a significant impact on space weather across the solar system and even here on Earth. CMEs are slower shock waves of magnetic energy that emanate from the sun. While solar flares can reach Earth in a matter of minutes, CMEs typically take at least a day to arrive.
All three of these X-class solar flares disrupted shortwave radio communications on Earth. When a solar flare occurs, the radiation travels towards Earth at the speed of light and ionizes particles in the lower ionosphere. This ionization affects the propagation of high-frequency radio waves, which bounce off electrons in the ionosphere. As a result, radio waves lose energy and cannot travel as far, leading to radio blackouts.
These radio blackouts primarily affected regions over the Pacific and Indian oceans, resulting in a wide area blackout of high-frequency radio communication. The blackout lasted for about an hour on the sunlit side of Earth. Additionally, low-frequency navigation signals, such as those used by aircraft traveling overseas, may have been degraded.
There was speculation that Thursday morning’s AT&T cellular network outage was connected to the solar flares. However, experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center dismissed this notion. They stated that it is unlikely for the flares to have caused the cellular network outage, as solar flares typically do not affect cellphone frequencies.
Furthermore, the solar flares on Wednesday did not release CMEs, which are responsible for inducing electric currents that can disrupt satellite circuitry. In February 2022, a CME knocked out 40 SpaceX satellites. Even if a CME had been released during these recent solar flares, it would have taken more than a day to reach Earth.
Unfortunately, skywatchers will not be treated to displays of the northern lights as a result of the first two solar flares on Wednesday. The northern lights, also known as auroras, are often visible when geomagnetic storms caused by CMEs reach Earth. The third solar flare on Thursday evening may have launched a CME, but forecasters are awaiting coronagraph data to confirm this.
As the parent sunspot cluster, known as “Active Region 3590,” continues to exhibit activity, there may be more opportunities for X-class flares and CMEs in the days ahead. This sunspot cluster is so large that it can be viewed with the naked eye, although eclipse glasses are necessary to observe it safely.
In conclusion, the recent eruption of three powerful X-class solar flares has disrupted radio communications on Earth. While the first two flares did not release CMEs, the third flare may have done so. These solar flares highlight the dynamic nature of our sun and its impact on space weather. As we continue to monitor solar activity, there may be more awe-inspiring displays and potential disruptions in the days to come.
