Enormous solar flare on the Sun sparks fears of radio blackouts around the world

The Sun fired off a massive X9.05 solar flare from around its equator that can potentially spark several vibrant aurora displays across the world over the weekend

A massive solar storm has knocked out radio communication that is expected to affect millions across the world.

The major X9.05 solar flare was fired from the sun and is expected to impact regions in Africa, the Atlantic Ocean and eastern South America. According to spaceflight meteorologist Nick Stewart, the major X-class solar flare is "in progress."

In a post shared to X/Twitter, he said: "We've reached X9. Initial impacts of strong Radio Blackouts in HF radio communication underway. This could potentially have impacts on #Helene response with HAM radio being utilized."

An image shared in the post showed numerous regions across the globe would be affected by the impact. Many parts of Africa, eastern South America and the Atlantic Ocean show the highest frequency absorption. "

The massive solar flare, has the power to spark shortwave radio blackouts. It has already affected communication across Hawaii and the Pacific Ocean.

The latest flare, that was fired from the sun earlier this week, is the second-strongest one to have hit Earth this solar cycle. The current solar cycle started in 2019 and these strong bursts could indicate that we have entered its peak.

A similar geomagnetic storm happened last month after an X-class flare hurled a coronal mass ejection (CME) toward Earth. There have been plenty of solar activity this year with Earth experiencing its most powerful geomagnetic storm in 21 years. It triggered the most widespread auroras in the past 500 years.

Solar flares are powerful bursts of ultraviolet radiation that happen on parts of the sun where magnetic fields are notably strong. According to NASA, an X-class solar flare "denotes the most intense flares, while the number provides more information about its strength."

In certain circumstances, flares and solar eruptions can impact radio communications, electric power grids and navigation signals. They also pose risks to spacecraft and astronauts.