The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) says sunspot AR3697 has exploded again, creating an M9.7-class solar flare.
This is the strongest radiation storm since 2017. This flare significantly affected radio communications, satellites, and space activities.
(Photo: Getty Images/ NASA)
An Extremely Huge Solar Flare and Radiation Storm
On June 8, sunspot AR3697 sent out an M9.7-class solar flare, the second largest type on the scale. NOAA's Space Weather Scale says this strong flare caused an S3 radiation storm. Because of the Sun's intense activity, especially in the polar areas, space launches, satellites, and shortwave radio communications are all at risk.
The northern polar area had no radio service after the eruption. Protons from the flare began moving quickly and strongly toward Earth.
When they got there, they set off a polar cap absorption (PCA) event. Like July 2023, this PCA event happens when charged particles mix with the Earth's magnetic field and mess up shortwave radio waves.
AR3697 also sent out a coronal mass ejection (CME), which is expected to get close to Earth's atmosphere by June 10. The SWPC at NOAA has issued a Geomagnetic Storm Watch for G2-level conditions because this CME could cause a geomagnetic storm. If the weather is good, Auroras might be visible over the upper Midwest and northern states from New York to Idaho at night on June 10.
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Continuing Solar Activity and Impact
It got even busier on June 10 when it sent out an even stronger X1.5-class solar flare at 7:08 a.m. EST (1108 GMT). This flare, part of a double eruption with an M5.5 flare, sent radio waves out of range over North Africa, making it R3 (strong). AR3697 is the most active star and makes the most flares. In a short time, it can make one X-class flare, four M-class flares, and several C-class flares.
AR3697's high amounts of solar activity have big effects on the space weather around Earth. Radiation storms caused by the ongoing eruptions have already messed up radio signals and could put satellites and space missions at risk. As AR3697 moves out of sight over the next few days, the SWPC says the Sun's activity will stay low to moderate.
The June 8 CME is due to arrive later today. This could keep the geomagnetic storm active to moderate, and auroras might be visible at high latitudes. Solar flares are still very likely to happen. Over the next 24 hours, there is a 99% chance of C-class flares, a 75% chance of M-class flares, and a 25% chance of X-class flares.
This sunspot, AR3697, is still receiving considerable attention from scientists and people interested in space weather. Its intense flares and the radiation storm that followed show how unstable and changing our Sun is. After AR3697 ends, scientists will monitor the Sun closely to see if any other events could affect Earth's space environment.
If you want to see beautiful auroral shows, watch for more news about how this situation changes. The ongoing activity of AR3697 shows how much the Sun impacts our world and how important it is to monitor space weather.
RELATED ARTICLE: Northern Lights Expected in Some US States as Sunspot Triggers Geomagnetic Storm
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