A powerful M-class flare, which almost reached the maximum level X, was recorded on the Sun. It occurred early in the morning on April 19 and lasted more than an hour. This was reported by the press service of the Laboratory of Solar Astronomy of the IKI and ISZF.
M-class flares can cause moderate radio interference and minor geomagnetic disturbances, especially if they are directed at Earth. While X-class flares are significantly more powerful and can trigger magnetic storms that disrupt radio communications and satellite navigation, as well as disable equipment in orbit.
One of the large active centers (region No. 4055) has also become active on the Sun. This has led to a sharp increase in flare activity.
The magnetic storm that covered the Earth on the night of Thursday, April 17, reached a peak close to G4. This phenomenon caused the appearance of the aurora borealis, which illuminated the sky over Tatarstan, the Moscow region, Pskov, Arkhangelsk, Sverdlovsk and Leningrad regions, as well as other regions.
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