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Solar Flares led to Blackout in Pacific
Context:
Recently Space.com reported the sun unleashed a near X-class solar flare, causing widespread radio blackouts across the Pacific region.
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- The recent solar flare, classified as M9.53, was measured by NASA’s GOES-16 satellite.
- It was just below the X-category solar flare threshold in terms of intensity.
- Shortwave radio blackouts in the Pacific often occurred after a solar flare eruption due to the intense X-ray and ultraviolet radiation released.
About
Solar flares are explosions from the Sun’s surface that release intense bursts of electromagnetic radiation.
- Cause: The release of solar flares on the Sun is caused by the rapid release of energy stored in twisted magnetic fields, causing an intense burst of radiation, including X-ray and ultraviolet radiation.
- Types: Solar flares are classified into lettered groups based on size, with X-class flares being the most powerful, followed by M-class, C-class, B-class, and A-class flares.
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- A-class flares are the weakest and have no significant impact on Earth.
- X-class flares have the potential to damage satellites, communications systems, and power grids.
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- Impacts: The solar flare causes ionisation of the upper atmosphere, causing shortwave radio blackouts in sunlit areas such as the Pacific.
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- According to a NASA report, a large solar flare accompanied by a coronal mass ejection hit Earth in 1989 causing a 12-hour electrical blackout across the Canadian province of Quebec.
- They release high-energy particles, which pose a threat to astronauts and spacecraft operations due to the release of fast-moving charged particles.
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They can also potentially impact climate and weather patterns.