Astronomers reveal that on June 2nd at roughly 1300 UT, a solar flare has hit Earth's magnetic field delivered by a solar storm that left the sun's surface on May 28th. Despite fears. The weak impact caused no harm to the planet, nor did it alter solar wind speeds around the Earth.
Solar storms can potentially cause serious threats to the way of life on Earth. Streams of particles from the Sun can interfere with satellite technology and more. This is why astronomers keep a watchful eye on the Sun's activities.
What are Solar Flares?
According to NASA, solar flares are intense bursts of radiation originating from the release of magnetic energy linked with sunspots. Flares are identified as the solar system's largest explosive events and can be seen as bright areas on the surface of the sun. These solar flares often last from a few minutes to hours.
Solar flares can be seen due to the photons or quantized energy released at almost every wavelength of the light spectrum. Astronomers primarily monitor solar flares by using optical light and x-rays. Additionally, flares are the sites where various particles like protons, electrons, and heavier particles are accelerated.
Types of Solar Flares
Astronomers classify solar flares based on their brightness in X-ray wavelengths. There are three categories for solar flares, according to the European Space Agency:
X-class Flares are huge major events that have the capacity to trigger radio blackouts across the globe and cause long-lasting radiation storms in the Earth's upper atmosphere.
M-class Flares, on the other hand, are generally medium-sized and can cause brief radio blackouts that will affect the planet's polar regions. Typically, minor radiation storms follow M-class flares.
The smallest and most unnoticeable solar flare is the C-class Flares.
Contrary to popular belief, 'coronal mass ejections or CMEs differ from solar flares. CMEs are massive bubbles of gas with threads of magnetic field lines ejected from the Sun over several hours. Although it can be accompanied by solar flares, astronomers state that most CMEs aren't associated with flares.
Today's Solar Flare
Astronomers reveal that a CME and not a Solar flare brushed ever so slightly on the Earth's atmosphere. It was released from the sun's surface on May 28th and arrived on the planet after roughly a 4-day voyage hitting today at around 2 pm BST, Express reports.
Thankfully, the solar wasn't powerful enough to cause radio blackouts or cause any damage on the planet or its numerous technologies such as GPS and satellite tech.
Scientists say that it was a glancing blow delivered by a storm cloud. The weak impact was barely enough to change the solar wind speed circumferencing the planet, nor did it spark any geomagnetic storms.
To date, the biggest solar storm recorded is known as the Carrington Event back in September of 1859. During this event, the sun unleashed successions of powerful solar flares that were powerful enough that telegraph operator offices reported experiencing surges in electricity that resulted in buildings catching on fire.
Check out more news and information on the Sun on Science Times.
