The Sun continues to give signals that attract the attention of observers. In this case, the unprecedented solar flare detected a few days ago is the latest significant event. The Solar Dynamics Observatory of the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) recorded it this Friday.
It is the most significant solar flare in years. It brought some complications here on Earth. The event that even caused widespread disruptions to radio signals on Earth.
Breakdowns in communication
The Sun is approaching the peak of its roughly 11-year solar cycle. And peak sunspot activity is projected for 2025. The event a few days ago serves as a reminder of the dynamic and sometimes disruptive nature of our star.
Intense solar activity caused a two-hour disruption to radio communications. It happened in several sunlit regions of the world, including parts of the United States. Aviation professionals were among the first to report the impact. It is because the pilots experienced notable communication interruptions. The Space Weather Prediction Center is a key government agency that monitors space weather. They confirmed the widespread effects of the flare across the country.
The solar flare emanated from a sunspot region. It is now being closely examined by scientists. They are particularly alert for any signs of coronal mass ejection (CME). They are massive explosions of plasma from the Sun that, if directed towards Earth, could have significant implications.
bright flash
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory is a spacecraft in high orbit around Earth since 2010. It was instrumental in detecting the unprecedented solar flare. The observatory is specialized in capturing solar phenomena in extreme ultraviolet light. It showed the flare as a bright, intense flash, indicating an increase in energy from our central star.
