A powerful solar flare erupted from a giant unstable sunspot, causing radio blackouts on Earth and sending a hot plasma plume through the sun’s atmosphere at extraordinary speeds. This intense solar event occurred on February 6, unleashing a significant solar activity that affected communication and disrupted technology on our planet.
The eruption, which started at 8:30 pm EST on February 5 and peaked at 10:15 EST on February 6, released a massive plume of energized particles travelling at speeds exceeding 400 km/s through space. The extreme ultraviolet radiation from the solar flare ionised the upper layers of Earth’s atmosphere and caused shortwave radio blackouts that affected ham radio operators and maritime operators, resulting in signal loss below 30 megahertz for up to an hour.
The impact of this solar event extended to Australia and South Asia, where it triggered blackouts and disrupted communication. It is reported that ham radio operators and mariners in these regions experienced disruptions due to the solar storm, which reached our planet shortly after 10 am ET. This solar storm also implies future consequences, as NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center shows a 45 percent chance of more communication disruptions in the coming days.
The solar flare, classified as an M4-class solar explosion, sent a hot plume of plasma hurtling through the sun’s atmosphere at speeds exceeding 1,440,000 kilometers per hour and culminated in the formation of a coronal mass ejection (CME). This solar phenomenon contributed to the disturbance of communication systems on Earth and highlighted the potential impacts of space weather on our planet’s technology and infrastructure.
In conclusion, this recent solar event serves as a reminder of the powerful forces at work in our solar system and their potential to influence life on Earth. The eruption from the sunspot and the subsequent solar flare not only caused radio blackouts but also demonstrated the significant impact of space weather on our planet’s communication and technology. As our understanding of space weather continues to evolve, events like these emphasize the importance of monitoring the sun’s activity and preparing for potential disruptions from solar phenomena.
