JAKARTA – Strong solar flare activity is expected on Monday, July 17, 2023 which could disrupt short-wave communications, Russian scientists said after three flares were observed in the sun on Sunday.
The Fedorov Institute of Applied Geophysics in Moscow said class X flares were possible, including proton flares, and shortwave radio conditions were expected to worsen.
Class X flares are the largest explosions in the solar system and can create long-lasting radiation storms. A proton flare is a storm of solar energetic particles, consisting mainly of protons.
Solar flares occur when the strong magnetic field in and around the sun reconnects. They can affect Earth’s magnetic field with the potential to damage satellites and communications equipment, according to NASA.
In 2022, a geomagnetic storm triggered by a massive burst of solar radiation disabled 40 of SpaceX’s newly launched satellites.
Three solar flares were observed on Sunday, the Fedorov Institute said, with one lasting 14 minutes, accompanied by an interruption of radio communications.
2023-07-17 09:04:00
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