The sun is producing strong solar flares, creating blackouts. What to know – national

A recent period of strong solar flares is expected to gradually decline over the coming weeks and months, scientists say, along with the potential for brief communication blackouts as as the Sun ‘ Begins to fade.

The most powerful erupation of 2025 so far was observed last week by nasa’s solar dynamics observatorry and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa).

The flare, classified as an x2.7, caused a 10-minute period of “degraded communities” for high-frequency radio systems in the middle east, according to noaaa ‘.

“We are at solar maximum, so there can be periods of more activity,” a spekesperson for the space weather prediction center Told Global News in an email.

The speakesperson added that the active region last week’s flare emanated from, however, “Has weakened magnetically, and even thoughts it remains capable of production a notable ever Time. “

Solar flares-powerful bursts of energy with the sun’s atmosphere-are classified on a letter scale based on their intensity, with x-class flares Classed The number provides more information about their strength.

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The x2.7 flare on may 14 came a day after an x1.2 flare was observed in a nearby region that has been written away from earth’s orbit. The more active region has been rotated to face earth.

The 10-minute blackout in the middle East Occurred trust that part of the Earth was facing the sun at the time.

However, the active region was still somewhat off to the side, a related coronal mass ejection – which produces plasma and magnetic energy from the sun’s corona – Did not IPACT Earth.

Taylor Cameron, A Space Weather Forecaster at the Canadian Hazards Information Service, Told Global News It’s Dificult to Predict Specifically When a Solar Flar Can Erupt and WHITH PART KART CARTA Affect.

The sun is currently at the peak of its 11-Year Solar Cycle, Known as Solar Maximum.

Although activity is generally declining, the space weather prediction center spokesperson told global news that “SunSpot activity and solar event expertations remain elevated this year and perhaps also 2026.”

Solar flares and eruptions “Can impact radio communications, electric power grids, navigation signals, and Pose risks to spacecraft and astronauts,” Nasa says.

Cameron Said Solar Flares only impact high-frequency radio communications, which can include ham radios, shortwave broadcasting, aviation air-to-house Communications and Over-Horzon radarications Systems. Other Communication Networks, Like Internet, 5G and Cellular Service, ARENG.

The Stronger A Flare is, cameron added, the More Severe and Longer a Blackout or Disruption Can Bee.

To date, the most powerful flare of the current solar cycle was an x9.0 observed last October. That was strong enough to produge Fanthern lights across parts of north America, which can occur during solar storms.

Another Solar Storm Last Spring Produced Stronger Northern Lights Over Much of Canada.

The space weather prediction center has reported brief radio blackouts due to multiple x-class solar flares recorded over the past seveal mahanths.

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Conditions favorite for intenses displays of northern lights

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