TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
THE CONTEXT: On April 23, a rare celestial event occurred with four solar flares erupting simultaneously.
EXPLANATION:
- These flares, captured by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, originated from three sunspots and a large magnetic filament, demonstrating complex magnetic interactions.
- As the Sun nears or reaches the peak of its 11-year solar cycle, known as solar maximum, it exhibits heightened activity.
Sympathetic Flares
- Sympathetic flares are caused by multiple eruptions across the Sun’s magnetic field, linked by massive magnetic field loops that lie above the solar surface. When one spot detonates, others follow suit.
- This leads to coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and massive bursts of plasma.
- Such solar activity is likely an indication of the Sun reaching the peak of its 11-year solar cycle known as solar maximum.
- The peak is marked by increased solar events like flares and CMEs.
- As scientists continue to monitor the event and its aftermath, the event offers a peek into understanding the Sun’s complex life cycle.
- This is the third sympathetic solar flare this year, following a pair of explosions in January and a duo of X-class flares in March.
- While sympathetic flares typically involve two linked flares, the emission of four flares in unison makes this event “super-sympathetic.”
- This rarity underscores the dynamic and unpredictable nature of solar activity, challenging our understanding of solar phenomena.
Potential Impact on Earth
- Disruption of Technology:
- Solar flares and CMEs, if directed towards Earth, have the potential to disrupt power grids, telecommunication networks, and orbiting satellites.
- The influx of charged particles can interfere with electronics and communication systems, posing challenges for technological infrastructure.
- Radiation Exposure:
- Astronauts in space may be exposed to dangerous doses of radiation during solar events, highlighting the risks associated with space exploration.
- Geomagnetic Storms and Auroras:
- Minor class G1 geomagnetic storms, expected around April 25 and April 26, could result in auroras visible at lower latitudes.
- While these phenomena are visually stunning, they also indicate disturbances in Earth’s magnetic field caused by solar activity.
Solar flares:
- A solar flare is a tremendous explosion on the Sun that happens when energy stored in ‘twisted’ magnetic fields (usually above sunspots) is suddenly released.
- In a matter of just a few minutes they heat material to many millions of degrees and produce a burst of radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum, from radio waves to X-rays and gamma rays.
- Scientists classify solar flares according to their peak brightness in X-ray wavelengths. There are five categories, listed here in order from most intense to least intense:
- X-class flares are the biggest; they are major events that can trigger radio blackouts around the whole world and long-lasting radiation storms in the upper atmosphere.
- M-class flares are medium-sized; they generally cause brief radio blackouts that affect Earth’s polar regions. Minor radiation storms sometimes follow an M-class flare.
- C-class flares are small with few noticeable consequences here on Earth. At its peak, a C-class flare is ten times less powerful than an M-class flare.
- B-class flares are ten times smaller or weaker than C-class flares.
- A-class flares are at least ten times less intense than B-class flares, with no noticeable consequences on Earth.