Jul 17 (Reuters) – Powerful solar flare activity is forecast on Monday that could interfere with shortwave communications, Russian scientists said after three flares were observed on the sun on Sunday.
Moscow’s Fedorov Institute of Applied Geophysics said X-class flares, including proton flares, were possible and shortwave radio conditions were expected to deteriorate.
X-class flares are the largest explosions in solar systems and can create long-lasting radiation storms. Proton flares are a storm of energetic solar particles, composed primarily of protons.
Solar flares occur when the powerful magnetic fields in and around the sun reconnect. They can affect Earth’s magnetic field with the potential to damage satellites and communications equipment, according to NASA.
In 2022, a geomagnetic storm triggered by a large burst of radiation from the sun. knocked out 40 newly launched SpaceX satellites.
Three solar flares were observed on Sunday, the Fedorov Institute said, lasting 14 minutes, accompanied by interruptions in radio communication.
Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Edited by Stephen Coates
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