The sun released two powerful X2.5 solar flares within a span of seven hours, marking the strongest solar activity in 78 days. Both eruptions originated in AR4419, a volatile sunspot region currently located on the western edge of the Sun. The first solar flare peaked at 9:07 PM EDT on April 23, followed by the second at 4:14 AM EDT on April 24.
According to solar physicist Ryan French, these are the strongest eruptions we have seen in 78 days. The bursts of radiation caused strong radio blackouts on the sunlit side of the Earth; the first affected parts of the Pacific Ocean and Australia, while the second had a significant impact on East Asia.
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Forecasters say path modeling is still ongoing and a glancing blow remains possible. Such an event triggers geomagnetic storms and produces vivid aurora images.
Solar Flares: Everything You Need to Know
Solar flayers are powerful explosions from the Sun that result in bright chromospheric eruptions, releasing intense bursts of electromagnetic radiation, including X-rays and ultraviolet light, at the speed of light. When radiation from a solar flare hits Earth, it ionizes the ionosphere.
Under normal conditions, long-distance radio signals travel by bouncing off the upper layers of the ionosphere. This causes radio waves to lose energy due to interactions between particles, weakening signals and eventually leading to shortwave radio blackouts.
