Sun Released Biggest Solar Flare In Four Years, Caused Brief Radio Blackout On Earth
Experts reveal that the region from which the flare originated is the new active region on the solar surface. SWPC officials said in a statement, ¡°This sunspot region developed overnight and was also responsible for an M2 flare (R1 - Minor Radio Blackout) at 07:17 UTC on 03 July.¡±
The sun flashed the entire solar system with a rather powerful solar flare on Saturday, July 3, resulting in the largest solar flare in four years.
NASA
Also Read: Solar Storms Seen In 1582 Could Hit Earth Again And Cause Damage, Warn Scientists
Reported first by Space.com, the solar flare originated from a sunspot dubbed AR2838 at around 10:29 AM EDT or roughly around 8:00 PM IST. According to the US Space Weather Prediction Centre (SWPC), this was regarded as an X1-class sun event.
In case you didn¡¯t know, X-class solar flares are regarded as the strongest kind of eruptions on our star¡¯s surface. When these flares hit Earth, they have the potential to put astronauts in space in extreme harm as well as damage the satellites in orbit. They can also affect the power grids on the planet. In fact, the recent solar flare even resulted in a brief blackout on Earth.
Experts reveal that the region from which the flare originated is the new active region on the solar surface. SWPC officials said in a statement, ¡°This sunspot region developed overnight and was also responsible for an M2 flare (R1 - Minor Radio Blackout) at 07:17 UTC on 03 July.¡±
NASA¡¯s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured a video of the solar flare coming out from the upper right limb of the solar surface. The observatory is one of the many used to keep a check on the Sun¡¯s weather.
NASA
Does it mean it will strike again?
Well, it could but not anytime soon. According to Spaceweather.com, the sunspot¡¯s big flare has now rotated to the far side of the sun. On July 4th, it rotated over the sun¡¯s northwestern limb and is expected to spend two weeks transiting the far side of the sun.
Also Read: Sun Has Begun A New Solar Weather Cycle: Here¡¯s What It Means
Our Sun has just entered its more recent solar cycle that commenced in 2020. It is at this time the sun is expected to be in its fiercest avatar and more such solar activity. The solar cycles follow 11-year phases.
