NASA has issued a warning about the potential disruption of communications on Earth and in space due to strong solar flares. The aerospace agency recently reported a significant flare that occurred on February 22, 2024, at 5:34 p.m. EST (10:34 p.m. UTC), which has been classified as an X6.3 event.
Solar flares are categorized into five classes: A, B, C, M, and X, with each class representing increasing levels of power. An X-class flare is particularly significant, and this recent event is considered one of the largest recorded since 2017. In fact, it ranks as the 27th-most-powerful flare on record, with the most powerful flare being rated as an X40.
Preceding the X6.3 flare, there were two other notable flares—an X1.8 flare on Wednesday and an X1.7 flare earlier on Thursday. NASA captured an image of the X6.3 flare, which they have humorously dubbed the “Wink of Sauron.”
While the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) assures that the X6.3 event poses no significant threat to the general public, it does warn of potential signal degradation or loss for operators of high frequency radios on the sunlit side of the planet during the time of the flare. Additionally, the NOAA cautions that all flares have the potential to interfere with radar and GPS systems.
Astronauts are also at risk during solar flares due to the dangerous radiation they produce. The seven crew members aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and the three aboard China’s Tiangong space station have reason to be concerned if these flares escalate further. Fortunately, the ISS crew will have no duties over the weekend.
It’s important to note that while these solar flares are notable, they are not responsible for the cellular network outages experienced across the United States on the same day.
These flares are occurring during Sun Cycle 25, which began in 2019 and is expected to continue until around 2030, with its peak predicted for 2025. The X6.3 flare is currently the most significant event of this cycle, although it may not retain that title for long.
As we navigate the potential disruptions caused by these solar flares, it is crucial to stay informed and prepared for any communication or technological challenges they may bring.