Two consecutive X-ray radiation bursts were recorded on the morning of April 23 in sunspot groups 4419 and 4420. The M1.7 and M1.2 flares lasted 28 and 18 minutes respectively, the Institute of Applied Geophysics told TASS.
The last time a surge of this strength was recorded was on April 9. Sergey Bogachyov, head of the solar astronomy laboratory at the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, had earlier warned that the star's activity would reach a moderate level this week.
At present, the event is considered neutral for the planet, the Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences noted. However, the left sunspot group No. 4420, located on the eastern edge of the star, is rapidly increasing in size. The Sun's rotation is shifting it toward the center of the disk, from where direct plasma ejections toward Earth are possible. If the growth does not stop, the region will take up a position for a frontal strike as early as tomorrow. In images from space telescopes, the explosion looks like a spectacular double burst on the left side of the solar limb.
Class M means radiation power ten times higher than the minimum C and only one step below the extreme X, which can cause blackouts. The plasma clouds accompanying the flares, upon reaching Earth's magnetosphere, excite geomagnetically induced currents in power lines and pipelines.
For ground-based power engineering, even moderate storms create a risk of overheating power transformers. The monitoring system for such currents developed by scientists at Tolyatti State University is specifically aimed at preventing accidents in 220 kV and higher grids.
Read more on the topic:
- G1-G2 level magnetic storms to cover Earth on the weekend: coronal hole returns to the Sun with a 27-day cycle
- The Sun ejected plasma towards Venus
- Russia has learned to predict solar flares that are dangerous for satellites and communications