The Sun has released two powerful solar flares over the past one week, causing radio blackouts in some regions.
During this cycle, the Sun’s north and south poles switch places, a process during which solar flares are released.
It is speculated that at least one of the solar flares carried a coronal mass ejection (CME) with it.
Also read: Chaos on Sun dazzles Mars with invisible AurorasWhat are solar flares?
Solar flares are a fascinating phenomenon that occurs when magnetic fields within the Sun's atmosphere reconnect, releasing a massive amount of energy.
The Sun has released two powerful solar flares over the past one week, causing radio blackouts in some regions. A newly emerged sunspot region, named AR3663, is understood to be behind these solar flares, which were fired off within just six hours of each other. The Sun is experiencing heightened flare activity in its 11-year period in which its magnetic field goes through a cycle. During this cycle, the Sun’s north and south poles switch places, a process during which solar flares are released. Some flares are so strong that they end up affecting life here on Earth.
All about the two eruptions
The first eruption occurred on May 2, when the most powerful category flare, an X-class solar flare, was fired off AR3663. It was so powerful that it caused blackouts across Australia, Japan and much of China.
"X FLARE! Sunspot region AR3663 just produced an X1.7 flare, the 11th largest flare so far this cycle. It was an impulsive flare lasting a total of about 25 minutes and peaking at 02:22 U.T," solar physicist Keith Strong wrote on X.
The second eruption came on May 3, which was an M-class flare.
At the time of the eruption, the sunspot was facing our home planet, bringing Earth into direct firing line. It is speculated that at least one of the solar flares carried a coronal mass ejection (CME) with it. CME is a large expulsion of plasma and magnetic field.
Space.com website reports that powerful CMEs, that are directed towards Earth, can cause disruptions with power grids, telecommunication networks and orbiting satellites. They can also expose our astronauts in space to harmful doses of radiation.
Also read: Chaos on Sun dazzles Mars with invisible Auroras
What are solar flares?
Solar flares are a fascinating phenomenon that occurs when magnetic fields within the Sun's atmosphere reconnect, releasing a massive amount of energy. This process is similar to a rubber band snapping back into place after being stretched too far. The energy released during a solar flare is immense, and NASA categorises these flares based on their strength. At the top of the scale are the X-class flares, the most powerful of the bunch. Next come the M-class flares, which are a tenth as powerful as the X-class. Following these are the C-class flares, and finally, the B-class flares, the weakest of the bunch.
