25 JANUARY: Solar Flares are large explosions from the surface of the sun which produce very high intensity bursts of electromagnetic radiation. These flares can be classified on the basis of their intensity ranging from most powerful X-class flares followed by lesser intensity flares M-, C-, B- and A-class flares. Over a 1000 joules of energy is typically emitted during this phenomena. The magnetic energy associated with sunspots is released, thus causing such a high-intensity event. The magnitude of a single burst is such that it can power the United States for a million years. A series of strong auroras were triggered on the planet.
On January 5, 2023, the sunspot AR3112 exploded causing an X-class solar flare. It was recorded as an X1.2-class flare. An X1 flare is at the low end of the X scale. Thus, no immediate damage from the explosion has been reported, but causing short-wave radio blackout over parts of Australia and the South Pacific.
X-class flares can cause long-lasting radiation storms and severely damage satellite systems on earth, electric power grids, navigation system and spacecrafts. A potential global transmission loss can occur. National Aeronautics And Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) with joint collaboration constantly monitor the sun in all wavelengths and other required measurements to precisely predict solar flares and space weather events. The sun reaches its peak in the solar cycle after every 11 years. The Sun’s magnetic field completely flips, meaning that the Sun’s north and south poles switch places. With the sun entering the solar cycle, new sunspots emerging can cause dangerous explosions. By July 2025, around 115 sunspots are reported to form with the sun being at the peak of its solar cycle.
~Vishalika Sharma