The highest intensity (class X) solar flares caused radio blackouts in the US and Canada. The impending peak of solar activity could disrupt GPS, satellites and power grids on the planet. It has been reported business insider.
On August 5 and 7, 2023, NASA recorded strong flares on the right side of the Sun. X-ray and ultraviolet radiation from the sun are disrupting radio communications in much of the United States and Canada, physicist Keith Strong said.
According to NASA, the flare that hit Earth on August 7 was X1.5 magnitude. Class X events are the most intense and can expose astronauts to potentially dangerous radiation and damage satellites.
In 2023, astronomers recorded more X-class flares than in 2022. This is because the peak of solar activity is approaching. Solar cycles typically last about 11 years, during which time the star goes through a series of periods of high and low activity.
A new peak in activity is expected in 2025, but an increase in sunspots and flare frequency suggests it could come sooner in late 2023. The last solar maximum between 2012 and 2014 was relatively weak compared to typical activity peaks.
Solar radiation can ionize particles in the upper atmosphere, causing the aurora. High frequency radio waves are emitted in this part of the world, so strong flashes cause radio signals to be distorted. The strongest outbreak of 2023 occurred in February, it belonged to the X2.2 class and caused the radio to fail.
An X28 solar flare like the one recorded in 2003 would be incredibly destructive to Earth technology. More intense solar activity can damage the power grid, destroy satellites and disrupt GPS.
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