Map reveals blackout over US states after “extreme” solar flare
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Map Reveals Blackout Over US States After ‘Extreme’ Solar Flare
Large parts of the United States faced a radio blackout on Thursday following a strong solar flare from the sun. The “extreme ultraviolet flash” was captured by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory satellite. The solar flare, categorized as X-class in scale, was triggered by an active region of a sunspot on June 19 at 11:50 p.m. UTC. It caused a shortwave radio blackout over the Pacific Ocean, leading to a loss of signal at frequencies below 25 Megahertz (MHz) It follows an M-class one, the second-highest on the scale, that occurred days earlier on June 15, causing a short wave radio blackout across North America. The explosion has apparently destabilized a magnetic filament in the sun’s southern hemisphere, which may produce a CME, which could lead to geomagnetic storms.
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Large parts of the United States faced a radio blackout on Thursday following a strong solar flare from the sun.
The “extreme ultraviolet flash” was captured by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory satellite. The solar flare, categorized as X-class in scale—the highest scale, was triggered by an active region of a sunspot on June 19 at 11:50 p.m. UTC.
Radiation from the X1.9 blast caused a shortwave radio blackout over the Pacific Ocean, leading to a loss of signal at frequencies below 25 Megahertz (MHz). Amateur radio operators, especially in Hawaii, may have noticed the signal loss.
Solar flares are intense bursts of radiation from the sun. The most powerful explosions in the solar system, they can can contain as much energy as a billion hydrogen bombs, according to NASA.
Solar flares are classified according to their intensity, with X being the highest on the scale. X-class solar flares can cause planet-wide radio blackouts and long-lasting radiation storms.
A map showing the areas affected by the solar flare, including large parts of the United States. Inset, an image of the solar flare. A map showing the areas affected by the solar flare, including large parts of the United States. Inset, an image of the solar flare. NOAA/SWPC/NASA
The latest solar flare follows an M-class one, the second-highest on the scale, that occurred days earlier on June 15. It caused a shortwave radio blackout across North America, with a loss of signal seen at frequencies below 20 Megahertz (MHz).
Unlike the M8.3 solar flare on Sunday, the solar flare on Thursday did not launch a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME)—a massive burst of plasma and magnetic field lines—into space.
However, the explosion has apparently destabilized a magnetic filament in the sun’s southern hemisphere.
This massive filament, which is erupting now, may produce a CME, which could lead to geomagnetic storms.
A solar flare erupting on June 19, causing the radio blackout. A solar flare erupting on June 19, causing the radio blackout. NASA / Solar Dynamics Observatory
“When a CME arrives at Earth, it can produce some of the biggest geomagnetic storms and thus, some of the brightest and most active auroras that extend furthest toward the equator,” explained NOAA. Geomagnetic storms caused by CMEs can lead to aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights.
The northern lights are formed from electrons colliding with the upper reaches of Earth’s atmosphere.
During these collisions, “the electrons transfer their energy to the atmosphere thus exciting the atoms and molecules to higher energy states” and “when they relax back down to lower energy states, they release their energy in the form of light,” explains the Space Weather Prediction Center.
Stronger solar cycles produce more solar storms with greater intensity, which drives geomagnetic activity.
“If the geomagnetic field is active, then the aurora will be brighter and further from the poles,” where the northern lights are typically most visible, says the Space Weather Prediction Center. This means that the aurora borealis may be viewed from lower latitudes than usual.
Last year, strong solar activity allowed northern lights enthusiasts to catch a rare viewing of the natural display in parts of the world where they’re normally not seen, such as in Japan.
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X-Class solar flare triggers radio blackout across the US. See map
A powerful X-class solar flare from the Sun disrupted radio communications across large parts of the Pacific and the United States on Thursday, June 19. Classified as an X1.9 solar flare, the blast ranked among the most extreme solar phenomena. The intense ultraviolet radiation from the flare caused a shortwave radio blackout affecting frequencies below 25 Megahertz (MHz) The blackout was most noticeable across the Pacific Ocean, with amateur radio operators in Hawaii and coastal areas particularly impacted. The explosion likely destabilized a large magnetic filament in the Sun’s southern hemisphere. The filament is currently erupting and may trigger a CME, which could reach Earth in the coming days and spark geomagnetic storms. These storms could disrupt satellites and power grids, but also produce brilliant auroras, sometimes visible far beyond their usual polar range.
The intense ultraviolet radiation from the flare caused a shortwave radio blackout affecting frequencies below 25 Megahertz (MHz). The blackout was most noticeable across the Pacific Ocean, with amateur radio operators in Hawaii and coastal areas particularly impacted.
Map shows radio signal blackout caused by X-class solar flare(NOAA)
Solar flare follows earlier June 15 event
Solar flares are violent bursts of energy on the Sun’s surface, capable of releasing as much power as a billion hydrogen bombs, NASA stated. Flares are rated by intensity with X-class representing the highest category. These can trigger planet-wide communication disruptions and long-lasting radiation storms.
The Newsweek report stated that the X1.9 event followed an earlier M-class flare on June 15, which temporarily knocked out radio signals across North America at lower frequencies.
Unlike the previous M8.3 flare, the one recorded on Thursday did not eject a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME), a massive plasma and magnetic burst, into space. However, scientists at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center warned that the explosion likely destabilized a large magnetic filament in the Sun’s southern hemisphere.
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Eruption may lead to rare aurora sightings at lower latitudes
The filament is currently erupting and may trigger a CME, which could reach Earth in the coming days and spark geomagnetic storms. These storms could disrupt satellites and power grids, but also produce brilliant auroras, sometimes visible far beyond their usual polar range.
NOAA explained that if a CME arrived at Earth, it could generate strong geomagnetic storms, leading to some of the brightest auroras extending toward lower latitudes. Last year, per the report, similar conditions led to sightings of the aurora borealis as far south as Japan.
Auroras arise from charged particles from the Sun colliding with our atmosphere. This process causes atoms and molecules in the atmosphere to become excited; when these excited particles return to their lower energy states, they release this energy as visible light, creating the striking color associated with the northern lights.
With solar activity on the rise in the peak of the current solar cycle, we will likely see more solar activity in the next several months.
FAQs
What caused the June 19 radio blackout?
An X1.9-class solar flare from the Sun released intense ultraviolet radiation, disrupting shortwave radio signals, especially across the Pacific.
Which areas were affected?
The Pacific Ocean region, including parts of the United States and Hawaii, experienced signal disruptions on frequencies below 25 MHz.
What is an X-class solar flare?
X-class flares are the most intense category of solar flares, capable of causing global radio blackouts and radiation storms.
Could this affect power grids or GPS?
If a CME reaches Earth, it could cause geomagnetic storms that might impact satellites, GPS, and even power infrastructure.
Source: https://www.newsweek.com/nasa-satellite-extreme-solar-flare-us-states-blackout-map-2088388