A sunspot could emit X-class solar flares, says NASA. Know the solar storm danger. (NASA SDO)

NASA reveals that Sunspot AR3559 could release X-class solar flares, prompting a solar storm warning.

Febin MathewMarch 13, 24 NASA, Solar Flare, Solar storm

NASA has issued another warning about a solar storm, this time caused by Sunspot AR3559. In recent months, there has been a rise in solar activity, leading to several X-class solar flares. These flares have resulted in radio blackouts in certain areas. As we approach the peak of solar cycle 25, experts anticipate a further increase in the Sun’s activity, including solar flares, CMEs, solar storms, and geomagnetic storms. The Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) has now issued a warning about the upcoming solar storm.

Solar storm warning

According to a report by spaceweather.com, NASA SDO predicts that a region of the Sun’s surface called Sunspot AR3559 has a magnetic field classified as “beta-gamma-delta.” This can trigger X-class solar flares. The report states: “Sunspot AR3599 has a ‘beta-gamma-delta’ class magnetic field that threatens an X-class solar flare.

This development comes as NASA prepares to mitigate potential impacts to Earth. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released a revised forecast for solar cycle 25, suggesting a stronger-than-expected peak between January and October 2024.

Because of the vernal equinox, the Russell-McPherron effect comes into effect when the Sun is directly above the equator, when day and night are of equal length. As a side effect, there is a semiannual variation in the effective southern component of the interplanetary field. Cracks are forming in the Earth’s magnetic field that can allow even weak solar winds to penetrate, NASA says. Thus, we can expect solar storms to trigger even weak solar flares.

How do solar flares affect technology?

Like asteroids, solar flares also pose a threat to Earth. Strong solar flares can cause power and radio outages for several hours or even days, create aurora borealis, give people on airplanes radiation doses, and even affect elections! Technical equipment is particularly at risk during flaring. This is because when cosmic rays hit the earth, they release various particles such as energetic neutrons, muons, pions and alpha particles. Although these particles do not affect the human body, they also pass through integrated circuits and cause damage, often altering data stored in memory.