Powerful solar flare triggers radio blackouts across North America, solar ejection may impact Earth on June 18
Major
solar flare
causes shortwave radio disruptions across North America
A powerful M-class solar flare erupted from the sun on June 15, triggering radio blackouts across North America. The flare, classified as an M8.46 event, occurred at 2:25 p.m. EDT (1825 GMT) and nearly reached X-class status, the highest category for solar flares.
The eruption originated from an active,
Earth-facing sunspot
that has produced multiple M-class and C-class flares in the past 24 hours. The June 15 flare also released a
coronal mass ejection
(CME), a large expulsion of solar plasma and magnetic field.
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Forecasts from Spaceweather.com indicate the CME is traveling with a trajectory that may deliver a glancing blow to Earth on June 18. If it connects, the event could result in minor
geomagnetic disturbances
, categorized as G1-class storms. These disturbances may lead to visible auroras as far south as northern Michigan and Maine.
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— NASASun (@NASASun)
Solar flare radiation travels at the speed of light, reaching Earth in just over eight minutes. When it arrives, it ionizes the upper atmosphere, specifically the thermosphere, disrupting shortwave radio communications on the sunlit side of the planet. During the M8.46 flare, North America was facing the sun, making it the primary zone for communications interference.
Additional solar flares and CME threats expected this week
The sunspot responsible for the June 15 flare remains highly active. It released another significant flare on June 16 at 5:30 a.m. EDT (0930 GMT), rated as an M6.4-class event. Forecasters are monitoring the region for additional solar activity as it remains in an Earth-facing position.
Solar flares are classified by intensity into five main categories: X, M, C, B, and A. X-class flares are the most powerful, while M-class flares are approximately ten times weaker. The June 15 M8.46 event approached the threshold of X-class, placing it among the stronger flares observed in recent months.
Also read:
NASA sounds alarm: Solar flare hits Earth, more expected
Each class contains a numerical scale to denote its strength. C-class, B-class, and A-class flares are typically weaker, with A-class events producing little to no impact on Earth.
The potential for more CMEs and associated geomagnetic storms remains, especially as solar activity intensifies near the solar maximum. Continued monitoring is in place for both aviation and communications sectors.
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