X-Class Solar Flare from Giant Sunspot Causes Widespread Radio Blackout From North to South America

A giant sunspot burst into a nearly X-Class solar flare, resulting in a radio blackout that affected all of North and South America.

X-Class Solar Flare

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the flare, which was rated as an M9.6 solar flare, was strong enough to interfere with high-frequency radio signals throughout North America, Central America, and South America.

Although an expert previously told Insider that such events can disrupt aviation traffic, the blackout, which lasted for more than 10 minutes, did not appear to have any noticeable repercussions.

Flights may be grounded by space weather, according to Mathew Owens, a University of Reading professor of space physics. He added that planes without radio and satellite communications will not be permitted by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Although an M9 solar flare is a strong explosion, people are not at risk from it. Solar flares are ranked from class A, then B, C, M, and X. Just one rung separates an M9 solar flare from the most potent category of solar flares.

A gigantic sunspot that was primarily out of sight when the flare erupted created the flare. On May 16, AR3310 released an intense M9.6 solar flare.

The eruption was just 1% away from being an X-flare, and it most likely would have been if Earth observation satellites had been able to see it completely.

Giant Sunspot

According to SpaceWeather.com, the sunspot that is currently visible appears to be approximately three times the dimensions of the Earth. The location will undoubtedly be closely monitored by experts as it turns to face Earth this weekend.

Magnetic fields are extremely strong in sunspot regions. They have a history of being related to space weather phenomena.

This is the most current in a string of noteworthy recent space weather occurrences, which have also included stunning auroras and uncommon solar phenomena such as plasma waterfalls and tornadoes.

The sun is about to reach the top of its nearly decadal cycle, which is brought on by an abrupt flip in its poles. Solar flares and CMEs or coronal mass ejections are occurring more frequently as the sun grows more active.

In March, radio outages were reported in regions of southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand due to an X-class solar flare.

Scientists have cautioned that these solar activity peaks could possibly be dangerous if strong solar storms cut off electricity grids all across the world, Yahoo News reports.

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Solar Cycle 25

SpaceWeather.com says that Solar Cycle 25 occurred more quickly than predicted. Cosmic rays from far space are refracted by the sun's enlarging and complicated magnetic field. The two effects combine to reduce the daily radiation levels. Solar coronal mass ejections also sweep away cosmic rays, creating abrupt reductions dubbed "Forbush Decreases."

The "down to Earth" type of space weather is cosmic rays. They can infiltrate commercial aircraft, change the atmosphere's chemistry, and cause lightning.