Three top-tier X-class solar flares were observed launching off the sun within a span of 48 hours. The first two flares occurred seven hours apart and were ranked at X1.9 and X1.6 magnitudes respectively. The third flare, considered the most powerful of the current 11-year solar cycle, measured an impressive X6.3.
Solar flares are classified on a scale ranging from A, B, and C to M and X, with the order indicating increasing intensity. These flares are typically originated from sunspots, which are discolorations on the surface of the sun.
The number of sunspots is usually more prevalent during the peak of the 11-year solar cycle. The current cycle, known as cycle 25, is projected to reach its zenith this year. A higher number of sunspots increases the likelihood of solar flares.
Solar flares, along with associated coronal mass ejections (CMEs), can have an impact on space weather throughout the solar system, including on Earth. CMEs are slower-moving shockwaves of magnetic energy from the sun, while flares can reach Earth within minutes. However, CMEs typically require at least a day to reach our planet.
All three X-class solar flares caused disruptions in shortwave radio communications on Earth. It is worth noting that while the first two flares didn’t release a CME, it is yet to be determined if the third flare did.
Three flares, three radio blackouts
High-frequency radio waves propagate by bouncing off electrons in Earth’s ionosphere, a layer in the atmosphere located between 50 and 600 miles above the ground.
When a solar flare occurs, the radiation travels towards Earth at the speed of light, subsequently ionizing additional particles in the lower ionosphere. Radio waves emanating from devices located below this layer are then impacted by the additional ionization, resulting in energy loss and an inability to be bent by higher ionospheric ions. As a result, radio signals cannot travel long distances, leading to potential radio blackouts.
In response to the trio of flares, three consecutive radio blackouts, rated “R3” or higher on a scale from 1 to 5, were observed predominantly over the Pacific and Indian oceans. These blackouts led to wide-area blackouts of high-frequency radio communication and a loss of radio contact for approximately an hour on the sunlit side of Earth. Low-frequency navigation signals, commonly used by overseas aircraft, may also be degraded during these disruptions.
Disruptions to AT&T cell service?
There were speculations linking Thursday morning’s widespread AT&T blackout to Wednesday’s solar flares. However, an official statement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center emphasized that the flares were unlikely to have contributed significantly to the cellular network outage.
According to Joe Kunches, former chief of operations at the center, there is virtually no chance of any connection between the solar flares and the AT&T blackout. Kunches explained that as the flares occurred during the night hours for North America, any potential impact would not have occurred in the region. Furthermore, flares and their associated radio bursts primarily impact dayside systems, if at all. The frequencies used by cellphones are typically not affected by solar flares. While radio blackouts associated with flares impact high-frequency radio transmission, most cellphone carriers operate in the 698 to 806 megahertz band, which is significantly different from the affected frequency range.
Additionally, the solar flares of February 2024 did not release CMEs, which might induce electric currents capable of overwhelming satellite circuitry or even causing satellite damage. Even if a CME had been released, it usually takes more than a day for it to reach Earth. Consequently, the lack of CMEs from Wednesday’s flares meant that observers would not witness displays of the aurora borealis, which are typically associated with geomagnetic storms reaching Earth.
The third and most powerful solar flare, occurring in the evening on Thursday, may have resulted in a CME. However, the confirmation of this is pending coronagraph data, as CMEs are slower-moving than solar flares and require several hours to become visible on sensors following fully radiating away from the solar disk.
Looking ahead, there are still opportunities for X-class flares and CMEs in the coming days. The parent sunspot cluster, named “Active Region 3590,” remains active and has the potential for further solar activity.
It’s worth noting that directly referencing the text, current events, and emerging trends in relation to these solar flares, their impacts, and the study of space weather can serve as the foundation for a comprehensive analysis and future predictions. The implications of such solar activity can be far-reaching, affecting not only radio communications but also satellite technology, space exploration, and our understanding of the sun’s behavior and its influence on Earth’s environment.
As society becomes increasingly reliant on technology, the potential disruptions caused by solar flares and CMEs highlight the importance of investing in robust infrastructure and developing contingency plans. Industries such as telecommunications, satellite operations, and airline travel need to stay vigilant and prepared for space weather events, while scientists and researchers continue to study and enhance our understanding of solar activity.
While we may not have control over solar flares, our knowledge and preparedness can help mitigate the impacts
