2 solar flares in just 7 hours knock out Earth radio signals: NASA
New York Post • • science
Key Points:
- The sun emitted two massive X-class solar flares within seven hours on April 23-24, causing radio blackouts over parts of Earth including the Pacific Ocean, Australia, and East Asia.
- These flares, classified as X2.4 and X2.5, were captured in vivid ultraviolet images by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, highlighting the intense energy released.
- The solar flares were accompanied by coronal mass ejections (CMEs), but due to the sunspot’s location on the sun’s western edge, a direct hit on Earth is unlikely, though a glancing blow and resulting geomagnetic storms remain possible.
- These are the strongest solar flares observed in 78 days, following a series of powerful flares in February, including an X8.1 flare that caused significant radio blackouts.
- The recent solar activity underscores the sun’s ongoing impact on Earth’s communication systems and space weather, with potential risks to spacecraft and astronauts.
