Updated May 7, 2024, 00:56 IST
Sunspot AR3663 has unleashed an X4.5 Solar Flare, 4th strong flare since May 3rd, NASA observatory observed. NOAA warns of radio blackouts and geomagnetic storms ahead. Know details.
NASA Warning: Solar Flare Menace Strikes Again, AR3663 Unleashes Terrifying X4.5 Blast, Triggering Radio Blackout and Geomagnetic Storm
There have been several reports of the hyperactive sunspot AR3663 for the past few days, and now it is gaining attention again. This sunspot has erupted once again, producing a powerful X4.5-class solar flare. AR3663 has proven to be the most active sunspot of Solar Cycle 25 so far, with this latest eruption marking the 4th X-flare since May 3rd. Spaceweather.com suggests that the unstable ‘beta-gamma-delta’ magnetic field, where opposite polarities collide in explosive proximity is the main reason behind its superactive behavior.
According to solar physicist Keith Strong, AR3663’s X4.5 solar flare is the third largest flare of the current solar cycle. “Sunspot region AR3663 (again) just produced an X4.5 flare which is the 3rd largest since the beginning of solar cycle 25 (4.3 years ago),” he said in a post on NASA‘s Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded the extreme ultraviolet flash during this strong solar flare.
Solar Flare ImpactThis intense burst of radiation has caused a deep shortwave blackout around the Indian Ocean, potentially affecting maritime and amateur radio communications at frequencies below 30 MHz for up to an hour after the flare’s peak at 6:35 UT (12:05 IST)
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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasters estimate a 50 percent chance of more X-flares occurring within the next 24 hours, raising concerns about potential disruptions to various communication systems and satellite operations. Physicist Keith Strong said in another post, “The recent big X flare produced a strong radio blackout over most of Asia, Eastern Europe and East Africa. If it produced a CME it is likely to affect Earth in a day or two.”
Meanwhile, Earth experienced a weakness geomagnetic storm of G1-class on May 6th. While it coincided with the solar activity, it was not directly caused by the X4.5 flare, as it occurred too soon, he added.
Role Of NASA’s Solar Dynamics ObservatorySDO, also known as the Solar Dynamics Observatory, works alongside other NASA solar observatories like the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) and the Parker Solar Probe. Together, they continuously monitor the Sun‘s surface, magnetic field, and atmosphere. SDO’s mission is to provide detailed insights into the Sun’s influence on Earth and nearby space by studying its atmosphere on small scales of space and time.
