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Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Science
- Hindustan Times
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, stated a Newsweek report. Captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, the flare was recorded at 11:50 pm UTC. Classified as an X1.9 solar flare, the blast ranked among the most extreme solar phenomena. An extreme solar flare caused radio signal blackouts across the United States. See map 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. Also read: NASA astronauts make 'space sushi' aboard the ISS to cheer up sushi-craving crewmate 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.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Science
- Newsweek
Map Reveals Blackout Over US States After 'Extreme' Solar Flare
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. 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. Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about space? Let us know via science@
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Science
- Newsweek
Map Reveals US Blackout After Powerful Solar Flare
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Large parts of the USA suffered a radio blackout due to major activity in space this week. On June 15, North America found itself under a shortwave radio blackout, leading to a loss of signal at frequencies below 20 Megahertz (MHz). Amateur radio operators may have been affected by the signal loss, with commercial radio usually operating at a higher MHz rate. The blackout was caused by a solar flare from the sun, following a growing active region of a sunspot. Solar flares are intense bursts of radiation or light on the sun. They are the most powerful explosions in the solar system, and can contain as much energy as a billion hydrogen bombs, according to NASA. Solar flares are classified according to their intensity, with an M being the second-highest on the scale. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured the moment of eruption, which has been classed as an M8.3 solar flare—and which almost reached an X-class on the scale. A map showing the areas affected by the solar flare, including the entirety of North America. Inset, an image of the solar flare. A map showing the areas affected by the solar flare, including the entirety of North America. Inset, an image of the solar flare. NOAA/SWPC/NASA Solar flares can affect us on Earth, and radiation from this flare caused a shortwave radio blackout. A map released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows the entirety of the United States was affected by the blackout, for MHz at around and under a rate of 20. Much of South America was affected on a lower scale, while Canada and Greenland were affected at the same rate as the US. As well as the radio blackout, the solar flare also hurled a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) into space. These clouds of solar material expand as they sweep through space, and the flank of this CME will hit Earth in the coming days, bringing a chance of geomagnetic storms. A solar flare erupting on June 15, causing the radio blackout. A solar flare erupting on June 15, causing the radio blackout. NASA / Solar Dynamics Observatory Geomagnetic storms caused by CMEs can lead to Aurora Borealis, or the northern lights, lighting up our skies. A previous recent geomagnetic storm prompted the NOAA to forecast a likelihood of Aurora over much of the US on June 13, with Alaska, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin predicted to be directly underneath the phenomenon. The northern lights are easiest to spot in clear weather and away from bright lights and light pollution of cities, however stargazers do not need to be directly underneath the phenomenon to view it. As NOAA explains on its website: "The aurora does not need to be directly overhead but can be observed from as much as a 1,000 km [621 miles] away when the aurora is bright and if conditions are right." Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about space? Let us know via science@
Daily Record
03-06-2025
- Climate
- Daily Record
How to catch Northern Lights in Scotland before sightings suffer 'sharp fall'
The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, are one of nature's most mesmerising displays and often occur in Scotland Scotland is known for its wide range of astronomical delights, and for a lot of the year, the Northern Lights is the highlight. The spectacular display of purples, pinks, and greens has been visible our side of the border for centuries. Scots from the Highlands to Helensburgh have been able to spot nature's lightshow over the years, but activity is now intensifying, it seems, with four red alerts already issued this week alone by AuroraWatch UK. These alerts were triggered when the geomagnetic activity exceeded 200nT. The alerts were issued between 9am and 11am, and then again from 4pm to 6pm on Monday, June 2, with updates provided every hour. AuroraWatch UK utilises geomagnetic activity measurements from the SAMNET and AuroraWatchNet magnetometers to automatically detect when it is likely that the aurora can be seen from the UK. The monitoring system uses a colour-coded alert system with four levels. According to the monitoring group, a Red Alert means "it is likely that aurora will be visible by eye and camera from anywhere in the UK." The thrilling development comes with a warning, though. Although lights have been dancing in the sky over the past 24 hours, Scots now only have a small window to view them before sightings "fall sharply" in the coming days. According to the Met Office, Earth is under the ongoing influence of a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) that causes the Northern Lights, that arrived during the morning of Sunday, June 1. And while aurora sightings are still likely for the far north of the UK at first, "activity is expected to gradually reduce through the coming three day period," the weather agency states. Looking ahead to the next four days, it is possible that geomagnetic sub storms cause another burst of Aurora Borealis happenings particularly on Wednesday, June 4 - meaning we have just one more day to look up in hope. Wondering how the phenomenon occurs in the first place? The Northern Lights are the result of interactions between the solar wind, a stream of charged particles emitted by the Sun, and the Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere. These particles travel at speeds of around one million miles per hour. When the magnetic polarity of the solar wind is opposite to that of the Earth's magnetic field, the two fields can merge, allowing solar particles to funnel into the atmosphere near the magnetic poles. While the aurora is most commonly seen in high-latitude regions like Scandinavia or Canada, it can occasionally be observed in the UK, particularly in Scotland, Northern England, North Wales, and Northern Ireland. During periods of intense solar activity, sightings have been reported as far as southern England. Clear, dark skies are essential to view the Northern Lights, so rural locations away from light pollution offer the best chance of seeing the display. North-facing coastlines and elevated areas provide ideal vantage points. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
India Today
03-06-2025
- Science
- India Today
Dazzling auroras seen worldwide after solar blast from the Sun. Pictures inside
A series of dazzling auroras were observed in several parts of the world including the United States and Canada as a solar storm struck Earth's magnetic strongest eruption from the Sun in 2025 struck Earth with exponential power as Earth's atmosphere continues to reverberate from the impact, which has been termed a halo Coronal Mass Ejection (CME), has been significant even as the storm subsides. The storm has continued with few breaks for more than 60 hours. (Photo: X/@@BsauceSays) advertisement A halo CME is an eruption of solar plasma and magnetic field that appears to form a halo around the Sun when it is moving directly along the line of sight—either toward or away from Earth. If it's Earth-directed, it can have serious effects on technology and physicists confirmed that the storm had continued with few breaks for more than 60 hours, pointing to the power and effectiveness of the CME that might go down as the strongest event of the ongoing Solar Cycle source of this solar eruption is Sunspot 4100, which erupted in a dramatic fashion on May 31. Aurora Borealis seen over Washington State. (Photo: X/@PNWAurora) advertisementEarth-orbiting satellites detected an M8.2-class solar flare that lasted more than three hours, an unusually long and powerful event. While technically just shy of the X-class threshold, the flare's slow, sustained energy release provided ample force to launch a massive CME from the Sun's northern lights were also seen in San Diego and some residents in Tulsa, reported catching glimpses of the aurora. Meanwhile, in the Southern Hemisphere, pink and red auroras were spotted lighting up the skies over Queenstown in of High River 20250603T0600ZJust arrived as the aurora fired up Harlan Thomas (@theauroraguy) June 3, 2025Before the storm hit, experts had predicted that the auroras might be visible across a wide swath of the northern United States, including Alaska, Washington, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, along with most of Wyoming, Idaho, Iowa and New also suggested potential sightings in parts of Oregon, Nebraska, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Watch
