X-class Solar Flares Pose Risk: Be Aware of the Potential for Solar Storms

Over the past three days, Earth has experienced multiple geomagnetic storms. On September 24, a G2-class storm occurred, resulting in rare red auroras appearing over Scotland. Yesterday, a G-1 geomagnetic storm was anticipated as a CME approached the planet. Over the past few months, the Sun’s impact has been evident through solar storms, geomagnetic storms, and solar flares. Consequently, these occurrences have triggered additional events like auroras, power outages, and disruptions in radio communications. This solar activity is projected to intensify as we approach the solar maximum, the phase in the Sun’s 11-year solar cycle characterized by its highest level of activity.

Now forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have issued a solar flare warning. Know when it might hit.

Sunlight warning

According to a report by spaceweather.com, there are currently 10 sunspot groups toward the sun, four of which have mixed magnetic fields that can explode. These sunspots are – AR3435, AR3443, AR3445 and AR3449. As a result, Earth is in the firing line of solar flares. According to NOAA, there is a 40 percent chance that M-class solar flares will reach Earth today, September 27. On the other hand, there is a 15 percent chance that X-class flares will also hit the planet!

For the uninitiated, solar flares are rated according to their intensity on a logarithmic scale, similar to how earthquakes are measured. The smallest are the A class, which occur near background levels, followed by B, C, M, and X.

Why are Class X solar flares dangerous?

X-class solar flares can cause radiation storms that can not only damage satellites, but also give small doses of radiation to people flying in airplanes at the time! Additionally, these destructive flares can disrupt global communications and bring down power grids, causing blackouts.

If the X-class flares are too powerful, they can lead Earth into loops ten times the size that jump off the Sun’s surface as magnetic fields cross, according to NASA. When these loops recombine, they can produce as much energy as a billion hydrogen bombs!

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