Sun erupts with strongest flare: Earth's satellite, power grid in firing line

This event will coincide with an earlier coronal mass ejection (CME) anticipated to arrive between October 4 and 5, heightening the likelihood of geomagnetic storms and auroras this weekend.

In Short

• Radiation causes shortwave radio blackout over Africa
• Coronal mass ejection from flare to hit Earth on October 6, triggering storms
• Experts note early solar maximum, activity may persist into 2025

The Sun is in no mood to be quiet, the star hurtled the strongest solar flare of the ongoing Solar Cycle.

Sunspot AR3842 has erupted again, producing the strongest solar flare of Solar Cycle 25, classified as an X9.1 event. This powerful blast was recorded by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory.

The eruption was so strong that the radiation from the flare ionized Earth’s upper atmosphere, leading to a significant shortwave radio blackout over Africa and parts of the South Atlantic, affecting ham radio operators who may have experienced signal losses for up to 30 minutes.

Of particular interest is the coronal mass ejection (CME) associated with this flare. Images from the SOHO coronagraph show a halo CME emerging from the blast site, which is expected to collide with Earth on October 6.

This event will coincide with an earlier CME anticipated to arrive between October 4 and 5, heightening the likelihood of geomagnetic storms and auroras this weekend.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a geomagnetic storm watch from October 3 to 5, predicting disturbances classified between G1 (minor) and G3 (strong). These storms can disrupt power grids, satellite operations, and navigation systems while also enhancing auroral displays at lower latitudes than usual.

This recent solar activity marks a continuation of an exceptionally active period for the sun, which has already produced 41 X-class flares in 2024 — more than in the previous nine years combined.

Experts suggest that we have entered a solar maximum phase earlier than expected, with heightened activity likely to persist into 2025.

As solar activity continues to escalate, scientists advise those interested in viewing auroras to stay alert for potential displays across various regions this weekend, particularly in areas not typically known for such phenomena.