The largest flare occurred on the Sun in seven years – Kommersant

On the night of February 23, the largest explosion of this solar cycle was recorded on the Sun. This was reported to RIA Novosti in the solar astronomy laboratory of the Institute of Space Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

According to her, the explosion was registered between 1:00 and 2:00 Moscow time. The radiation fluxes were about 1 kW per square meter. km. This is 2–3 times lower than record levels recorded in modern history. The solar flare is classified as X6.3 and is the largest since 2017, the RAS added.

The laboratory clarified that this outbreak was the third to receive the highest score of X in less than 24 hours. “The last explosion… was registered dangerously close to the Sun-Earth line, which makes the probability of an impact on the Earth very significant,” said the Institute of Space Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences. An accurate forecast is expected by noon.

If the movement of plasma clouds towards the Earth is confirmed, an impact on the magnetic field is expected on Sunday, February 25. The possible strength of magnetic storms in this case can reach level G4 (out of five possible).

The IRI RAS said that the Sun is now experiencing one of the strongest bursts of activity in the last two solar cycles. The solar cycle lasts about 12 years. Presumably, the maximum of the current cycle will occur in 2024–2025. Solar flares can cause magnetic storms and also cause disruptions in energy and navigation systems.

Read about solar flares and geomagnetic storms in interview physicist Vladimir Makhmutov “Kommersant-Science”.

Laura Keffer