[Regnum] An active region on the Sun is rapidly growing, which could increase solar flares and their impact on Earth in the near future. This was reported on February 1 by the press service of the Solar Research Laboratory at the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
According to experts, all the activity is currently concentrated in one spot: a sunspot is rapidly expanding and accumulating energy. When this energy builds up, the Sun "relieves" the tension with solar flares. The main question, the scientists note, is when this area will stop growing. If this doesn't happen by tomorrow, February 2, solar flares could begin to affect Earth in the afternoon.
If the active region continues to grow through the end of the week, potential consequences could also affect space technology, including rocket launch plans. However, experts are not providing a precise forecast: the reasons for the surge in activity are related to processes occurring deep beneath the Sun's surface, which are currently inaccessible to direct observation.
Earlier, on February 1, a powerful solar flare of the highest X-class was recorded. The Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences reported that the peak of activity occurred during the daytime, and after the flare, signs of an ejection of solar material appeared. So far, the direct impact on Earth is estimated to be minimal, as the active region was located away from the Sun-Earth line.
That morning, scientists noted a sharp increase in solar activity and a series of strong M-level flares, which precede the most powerful X-class events.
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A high-class solar flare was recorded on the Sun.
A highly powerful X-class solar flare occurred on the Sun. This was reported on February 1 by the press service of the Solar Astronomy Laboratory at the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
According to scientists, the outbreak reached magnitude X1.04, peaking at 3:33 PM Moscow time. Experts note a high probability of further major outbreaks in the near future.
Following the event, signs of a coronal mass ejection were detected. The potential impact on Earth is currently assessed as minimal, as the active region is located away from the Sun-Earth line. Only extremely powerful events could cause ejections to strike the planet from this angle.
The Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences clarified that the active region will enter the zone of direct impact on Earth between February 3 and 7.
The laboratory previously reported a sharp increase in solar activity. On the morning of February 1, several strong M-level flares, which precede X-class events, were recorded. Meanwhile, at the end of January, the Sun was in a phase of declining activity, and specialists expected a period of calm.
On January 24, the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences reported a very large double explosion on the far side of the Sun. Scientists emphasized that it was impossible to determine its cause. The laboratory clarified that due to the lack of satellites on the far side of the star, they could only speculate about what exactly happened.
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A sharp increase in solar activity and strong flares have been recorded on the Sun.
A sharp surge in solar activity occurred: several strong M-level flares were recorded this morning, which precede the most powerful X-class events. This was reported on February 1 by the press service of the Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Scientists registered the flares in the early morning hours Moscow time. This was unexpected, as the Sun had previously been in a phase of noticeable decline in activity, and experts had expected a period of calm.
At the end of January, solar activity declined sharply: the number of sunspots decreased, X-ray fluxes weakened, and the overall activity index approached its minimum values. However, the situation changed the day before—the rate of flares increased severalfold.
The laboratory does not rule out the possibility that solar activity may increase even further in the next 24 hours. While no impact on Earth has been detected, specialists are continuing to monitor the solar activity.
On January 24, the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences reported a very large double explosion on the far side of the Sun. Scientists emphasized that it was impossible to determine its cause. The laboratory clarified that due to the lack of satellites on the far side, they could only speculate about what happened.