Sun has spewed a strong solar flare.
A powerful Sunspot AR3664 has returned to the Earthside of the Sun for an unprecedented third time.
On June 23rd, AR3664 demonstrated its enduring vigour by unleashing an M9.3-class solar flare .
The magnetic activity within these spots can become twisted and concentrated, eventually releasing energy in the form of solar flares.
This process is a dynamic aspect of the sun’s 11-year solar cycle, where solar activity waxes and wanes.
Sun has spewed a strong solar flare. Will it strike the Earth? Photo : iStock
Sun is again showing its volatile side. A powerful Sunspot AR3664 has returned to the Earthside of the Sun for an unprecedented third time. Despite its small size, this sunspot continues to be a significant source of solar activity. Normally, sunspots are transient features of the sun, appearing and fading over the course of days to weeks. However, AR3664 has defied these expectations. Initially appearing as a formidable and large sunspot, it has now shrunk to a fraction of its original size. Despite this, its magnetic underpinnings remain remarkably robust, allowing it to continue producing substantial solar flares.
On June 23rd, AR3664 demonstrated its enduring vigour by unleashing an M9.3-class solar flare . This flare was mere percentage points away from being classified as an X-class flare, which is the most powerful category. M-class flares are still significant, capable of causing moderate to strong impacts on Earth ’s magnetosphere, potentially leading to disruptions in communication systems and heightened auroral activity.
Impact On Earth
Solar flares of this magnitude can have several effects on Earth. When a flare occurs, it releases a burst of electromagnetic radiation across the spectrum, from radio waves to X-rays and gamma rays. The recent M9.3-class flare from AR3664 could lead to temporary disturbances in the ionosphere, affecting GPS signals, radio communications, and even power grids in more extreme cases.
Moreover, such flares often accompany coronal mass ejections ( CME s), which are massive bursts of solar wind and magnetic fields rising above the solar corona or being released into space. If a CME from this flare heads towards Earth, it could result in geomagnetic storms that enhance auroras and potentially disrupt satellite operations.
Sunspots like AR3664 are regions on the sun’s surface with intense magnetic activity, appearing darker because they are cooler than the surrounding areas. The magnetic activity within these spots can become twisted and concentrated, eventually releasing energy in the form of solar flares. This process is a dynamic aspect of the sun’s 11-year solar cycle, where solar activity waxes and wanes.
How Do NOAA Monitor Space Weather
Organisations such as the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) and NOAA continuously monitor solar activity to predict and mitigate the impacts of space weather on Earth. These agencies utilise satellite data and solar observatories to provide forecasts and alerts. For instance, following the June 23rd flare, scientists are closely watching AR3664 for further activity, especially given its surprising reappearance and potential for additional flares.
