Rare Sympathetic Solar Flares Erupt Simultaneously from Opposite Sides of the Sun
In a stunning display of celestial power, two powerful solar flares erupted almost simultaneously from sunspots located on opposite hemispheres of the sun. This incredibly rare phenomenon, known as a sympathetic solar flare, serves as a reminder that we are rapidly approaching the explosive peak of the sun’s 11-year cycle, known as the solar maximum.
On January 22, at approximately 10:30 p.m. ET, two solar flares erupted at nearly the same time from sunspots AR3559 and AR3561. These sunspots were separated by a distance of around 310,000 miles (500,000 kilometers), which is greater than the average distance between the moon and Earth. The combined power of these twin flares was equivalent to a M5.1 magnitude flare, making it the second most powerful class of flare that the sun can produce.
The eruption of these sympathetic solar flares also resulted in a wave of high-energy particles being launched towards Earth. As these particles collided with our planet’s magnetic field, a 30-minute radio blackout occurred above Indonesia and parts of Australia. This event serves as a reminder of the potential impact that solar flares can have on our technological infrastructure.
Solar flares have the ability to launch coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which are fast-moving clouds of magnetized plasma that can travel through space. When these CMEs interact with Earth’s magnetic field, they can trigger geomagnetic storms that produce colorful auroras. However, in this particular instance, neither flare seems to have released a CME.
While solar flares occurring in rapid succession from the same sunspot can result in “cannibal CMEs,” where the flares merge into a larger solar storm, sympathetic solar flares are an entirely different phenomenon. Previous assumptions suggested that sympathetic flares were merely coincidental events. However, a groundbreaking study conducted in 2002 revealed that these flare pairs are actually linked together through massive, invisible magnetic field loops that arc around the sun. Therefore, the flares can be considered as two parts of a single explosion.
According to the study, the twin components of a sympathetic flare can be separated by up to 30 minutes. Although the exact time between the eruptions of the recent pair is unclear, footage captured by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory suggests that they were likely separated by only a few minutes, if not mere seconds. This close proximity further emphasizes the interconnected nature of these sympathetic flares.
While sympathetic flares are incredibly rare, they tend to become more common during the solar maximum. As the sun’s magnetic field becomes more entangled with itself during this phase, the likelihood of sympathetic flares occurring increases. A comprehensive study analyzing 40 years of solar flare data in 2022 supported this notion, revealing a correlation between solar maximum and the frequency of sympathetic flares.
Over the past 12 months, solar activity has been steadily increasing. This period has witnessed a rise in the number and size of sunspots, as well as more frequent and powerful solar flares. Just recently, on January 20, the sun unleashed a CME that was predicted to trigger a geomagnetic storm, resulting in auroras appearing in parts of the United States on January 23.
Initially, scientists predicted that the solar maximum would occur in 2025 and be relatively weak compared to previous maximums. However, mounting evidence has led them to revise their expectations. There is now a belief that the sun’s chaotic peak could begin within the next few months, if it hasn’t already. This revised forecast highlights the unpredictable nature of our closest star and the need for continued research and monitoring of solar activity.
As we witness these rare sympathetic solar flares, we are reminded of the immense power and complexity of the sun. These events serve as a captivating spectacle, but they also carry implications for our technological infrastructure and the potential for geomagnetic storms. By studying and understanding these phenomena, scientists can gain valuable insights into the workings of our star and better prepare for the challenges that solar activity may present in the future.
