Sunspot AR3575 has been gushing out big amounts of solar material lately, with multiple coronal mass ejections and solar flares originating from this source. On February 6, this sunspot tossed out a harmful M-class solar flare tath triggered power outages in numerous areas worldwide.
In current months, there has been a considerable increase in solar task, with the frequency and intensity of solar flares getting to worrying levels. As we relocate closer to solar maximum, it is anticipated that this trend iwll certainly continue, posing a prospective danger to our planet. Recently, a poweful M-class solar flare struck Earth, giving a stark tip of the prospective risks that solar task can posture.
M-class solar flare
In an X article, Space Climate Physicist Dr. Tamitha Skov composed, “As if on hint, Area 3575 fires an M4.2-flare with a high R1-level #RadioBlackout and introduces a beautiful #solarstorm. Likely this tornado is not Earth-directed, but it certain produce some attractive fireworks.”
According to the Solar Characteristics Observatory of NASA, it just took 8 minutes for the solar flare to reach our planet, moving at the unbelievable rate of light. The flare was classified as an M4-class flare and had an intensity of M4.2.
A SpaceWeather record revealed that the shortwave radio blackout took place due to severe ultraviolet radiation from the flare which ionized the top of Earth’s atmosphere. It triggered radio blackouts throughout Australia and Southeast Asia, and interaction power outage was observed at frequencies listed below 30MHz alsot an hour after the solar flare peaked.
When charged solar fragments struck Earth, the radio interactions and the power grid are affected when they hit the world’s magnetic field. It can create power and radio power outages for a number of hours and even days. However, electrical energy grid problems take place only if the solar flare is very huge.
Do M-class solar flares present a hazard?
M-class solar flares, as categorized by NASA, possess a moderate level of strength and have the capacity to briefly interfere with radio communications. This happens when solar fragments connect with Earth’s magnetic field, creating a short-lived disturbance with radio transmissions and potentially affecting the power grid.