Three powerful class M flares were recorded on the Sun overnight, according to the Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the Institute for Space Research (IKI) of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
According to experts, the flares occurred at 0:13, 1:39 and 3:02 Moscow time, and the maximum of them reached level M4.2 - slightly weaker than the flare recorded on the night of Saturday.
In addition, three less intense class C flares were observed on the Sun during the same night. Scientists note that solar activity remains at a high level: just the day before, on the night of December 27, a flare of magnitude M5.1 occurred - the strongest since the beginning of the month.
According to the laboratory's forecasts, the peak of flare activity may occur during the New Year holidays. Such periods are accompanied by an increase in the solar wind and an increased probability of magnetic storms on Earth.
Class M flares are bursts of energy on the Sun of medium power, capable of causing disturbances in the Earth's magnetosphere, radio interference and auroras at high latitudes. With increased activity, temporary failures in navigation systems and radio communications are possible.