A powerful solar flare erupted from the sun on Thursday, March 28, creating a buzz among scientists and stargazers alike. Detected by satellites from NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, the X1.1 flare was classified as an X-class flare, the most powerful type of explosion the sun can produce.
This solar event caused a deep shortwave radio blackout over the Pacific Ocean, ionizing part of Earth’s atmosphere. Additionally, a massive coronal mass ejection was released during the flare, initially raising concerns of a potential geomagnetic storm.
Fortunately, NOAA announced that the outburst would likely miss Earth, avoiding any significant impacts on satellites or infrastructure. This reassurance came as a relief to many, as just a few days prior on Monday, March 25, a double X-class flare had been observed, leading scientists to believe that the sun may have entered its peak activity phase earlier than expected.
X-class flares are most common during solar maximum, which occurs as part of the sun’s 11-year solar cycle. With seven X-class flares, including the latest one on March 28, already observed in 2024, it seems that solar activity is on the rise. This has prompted scientists to closely monitor the sun for any further outbursts in the coming days.
Overall, while Thursday’s solar flare caught the attention of many, it appears that Earth has dodged a bullet this time. However, with increased solar activity noted in recent months, it is important to stay vigilant and prepared for any future solar events that may impact our planet.
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