Eight M-class solar flares observed on July 28 and related solar activity
On July 28, scientists recorded eight powerful M-class solar flares. The information came from the Institute of Applied Geophysics (FSBI “IPG”) as cited by TASS, noting that solar activity has been active across multiple sunspot groups. The sequence of bursts showed varying intensities, with the first flare in the chain, an M7.9, unfurling at 04:51 Moscow time and the final flare, an M1.7, occurring at 17:22. These events were linked to several distinct sunspot regions on the solar surface, illustrating a period of heightened magnetic activity in the Sun’s atmosphere.
Among the flares, the strongest event near the X-class boundary occurred shortly after 04:57 Moscow time. IPG data indicate that an M9.9 flare appeared in the X-ray spectrum within sunspot group 3766 (S07E10) and persisted for about eight minutes. Such high-intensity flares release substantial energy and can influence space weather conditions that reach Earth, especially through bursts of X-ray and ultraviolet radiation that ionize the upper atmosphere of our planet. This event is a reminder that solar activity, even when not classified as X-class, can generate rapid atmospheric responses and contribute to space weather variability.
Solar flares are categorized according to the intensity of their X-ray radiation into five classes: A, B, C, M, and X. The A-class at the lower end represents the weakest end of the spectrum, and the scale increases by a factor of ten with each class transition. For example, the A0.0 class corresponds to a radiation power of about 10 nanowatts per square meter at Earth’s orbit, and as the scale ascends to B, C, M, and into X, the emitted power grows tenfold with each step. This logarithmic scale helps scientists compare events and predict potential impacts on satellite systems, communications, and high-altitude aviation.
In parallel, NOAA, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, reported a noteworthy development this week. While the specific forecast highlighted a 60 percent chance of dark plasma bursts, often referred to as “cold” solar flares, triggering a radio blackout on Earth within the current period, researchers emphasize that such events are part of the broader solar cycle variability. These dark plasma events are characterized by unusual emission patterns and can affect radio communications on shortwaves and higher-frequency bands, depending on the timing and location of the disturbance in the solar wind and magnetosphere. Scientists continue to monitor these signals to better understand when and how space weather might disrupt terrestrial technologies and aviation systems.
Earlier activity signals point to the initiation of a new solar activity cycle. The sun’s magnetic field undergoes periodic reversals and cyclical shifts that influence the frequency and intensity of solar flares and coronal mass ejections. Observatories worldwide track sunspot development, magnetic field changes, and X-ray emissions to forecast space weather conditions. As researchers gather more data from space- and ground-based instruments, the forecast models improve, enabling spacecraft operators and satellite users to prepare for potential disturbances that can impact navigation systems, satellite communications, and power grids on sensitive days.