The emergence of a new sunspot has led to multiple flares erupting on the surface of the Sun. During both eruptions, the sunspot was directly facing Earth, potentially accompanied by a coronal mass ejection (CME).
As the Sun approaches the peak of its activity in the current 11-year solar cycle, wherein its magnetic field undergoes a reversal, Earth is exposed to heightened solar phenomena. Recently, two significant solar flares emerged from sunspot region AR3663, placing Earth in a vulnerable position.
The initial eruption, an X-class flare on May 2, caused shortwave radio blackouts across Australia, Japan, and much of China, reported space.com. Solar physicist Keith Strong noted the event as the 11th largest flare in the current cycle, peaking at 02:22 U.T.
The subsequent eruption on May 3 was categorized as an M-class flare, as reported by the outlet.
CMEs, large expulsions of plasma and magnetic fields, could have been associated with at least one of these solar flares, potentially posing significant threats to various systems on Earth, including power grids, telecommunication networks, satellites, and even astronauts, according to space.com.
NASA explains that solar flares occur when powerful magnetic fields in and around the Sun reconnect, releasing built-up magnetic energy in the solar atmosphere. These flares are classified based on their strength, ranging from the most potent X-class to M-class, C-class, and B-class flares.
Days prior to the recent solar eruptions, spaceweatherlive.com reported an M9.53 flare on April 30.
