Earth was covered by a magnetic storm.
NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory and other observers of the Sun recorded the X-class flare that occurred on our star on Sunday. It became the most powerful such event that has occurred on the Sun since May 10, according to Forbes.
Flashes on our star are divided into three categories: C, M and X, the last ones being the strongest. The flare that occurred on Sunday was classified as class X1.
Also read: Incredibly sharp images of the surface of the Sun published
Solar flares are bursts of energetic particles that are usually ejected from sunspots on the surface of the Sun. These radiation emissions travel at the speed of light and reach Earth in less than 10 minutes, but the magnetosphere of our planet reflects most of the energy emission from the surface.
At the same time, flares can jam radio communications in that part of the planet, which the blow falls on. In addition, the flares are accompanied by coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which can disrupt power grids and equipment on Earth.
The Sun also produced several M-class flares and several CMEs over the weekend. They reached our planet on October 4 and caused a magnetic storm.
Such events on the star could be just the beginning as it approaches the peak of its 11-year cycle of activity. Observers of the Sun record an increase in the number of spots on it, and the time between flares is getting shorter and shorter.
According to some data, the maximum of this cycle may become a record for activity.
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Remember, 27 On September 10, the Earth was covered by a magnetic storm, which was a surprise for scientists, since no geomagnetic disturbances were expected that day.
