Latest news with #AR4087
New York Post
22-05-2025
- Science
- New York Post
Scientists issue urgent warning over solar storm threats — blackouts, grid breakdowns, ‘internet apocalypse' could be on the horizon
We hope the grid's equipped with a sun-screen. Scientists claim we're not prepared for the solar storms threatening Earth, which could cause cataclysmic blackouts, grid breakdowns and even an 'internet apocalypse,' according to a frightening 'emergency drill' conducted by a coalition of government agencies. The warning came after Earth was struck by a series of X-class solar flares — the highest magnitude of these intense radiation bursts — that erupted from the extremely active sunspot AR4087, CTV news reported. The first sun ray was an X1.2 that occurred Monday, May 13 at around 11:38am. This was followed the next morning by X2.7-class solar flare, which sparked radio blackouts spanning North and South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, Livescience reported. 3 Last May, the Federal Emergency Management Agency hosted a space weather tabletop exercise utilizing multiple agencies across the U.S., including the 140th Wing and 233d Space Group, to generate no-fault dialogue about various challenges associated with preparing for and responding to an impending space weather event. Staff Sgt. Luccario Lovato/U.S. Air National Guard Unfortunately, we'll only see more of these solar flare-ups as sunspot AR4087 swivels closer into view — like a giant interstellar death ray. To assess our ability to handle a massive sunburst, the federal government released the results of an emergency exercise conducted by the Space Weather Operations, Research, and Mitigation (SWORM), a task force that includes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and other agencies. Conducted in May 2024, the 'Space Weather Tabletop Exercise was set in January 2028 and involved different magnitudes of geomagnetic storms.' These occur when the Sun sends energy and charged particles into space in a phenomenon known as a coronal mass ejection (CME), IFL Science reported. 3 NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare (circled) on May 14. NASA/SDO / SWNS The largest was a 'solar superstorm' that hypothetically caused an internet apocalypse, disrupted the US power grid, and caused blackouts across the Eastern seaboard that lasted for weeks, The Daily Mail reported. This hypothetical solar meltdown also knocked railways and pipelines offline, impacting travel nationwide and sent gas prices into the stratosphere, per the report. During this fictitious scenario, each agency was tasked with assessing and handling the fallout of an active solar region that's turning to face us — a dead ringer for our current real-life predicament of being in the crosshairs of the AR4087 sunspot, Popular Science reported. 3 'Space weather is a complex subject and its potential impacts are not well understood outside of NOAA and NASA,' read the report juliars – To compound the simulated crisis, a two-astronaut Orion spacecraft crew was flying to the Moon, while another pair of Artemis astronauts had already touched down on the lunar surface. Unfortunately, participants failed to formulate a good protocol for this catastrophic hypothetical. Participants said the most difficult task was evaluating the impact of a coronal mass ejection (CME), which can only be detected 30 minutes before it reaches Earth, making preparation all but impossible. 'Space weather is a complex subject and its potential impacts are not well understood outside of NOAA and NASA,' reads the report. SWORM added that participants also lacked the 'space weather expertise' necessary to 'translate the scientific information and determine what the specific impacts would be on Earth.' 'There is a strong need to educate not only government and agency staff but the general public, as well,' they declared. In light of the backfired drill, SWORM recommends investing in solar storm-detecting tech and upping collaboration between US agencies, international allies, and private companies. 'Ongoing preparedness efforts for a space weather event are crucial because an extreme event has the potential to severely impact our nation's critical infrastructure and threaten our national security,' the report stated,' they wrote. 'Just as we prepare for earthquakes, hurricanes, and cyberattacks, our nation must take action before a major space weather event occurs.'
CTV News
21-05-2025
- Science
- CTV News
NASA confirms two major solar flares on sun, which can cause blackouts on Earth
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare — seen as the bright flash on the left – on May 14. The image shows a subset of extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the extremely hot material in flares and which is colorized in red. (NASA/SDO) NASA confirmed two solar flares erupting on the surface of the sun last week, an event that they say can impact radio communications, electric power grids, navigation signals and pose risks to spacecrafts and astronauts in the orbit. The first flare occurred May 13 at 11:38 a.m. EDT, and was recorded by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. Classified as an X1.2 flare, NASA says the 'X-class denotes the most intense flares.' The second solar flare, peaking at 4:25 a.m. EDT on May 14, was also recorded by the Solar Dynamics Observatory. This flare was classified as an X2.7 flare. The flares occurred on sunspot AR4087, an extremely active region on the sun. Space photographer Vincent Ledvina, who studies space physics at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, reacted with a 'wow' when studying the flare ups. 'This is getting intense, especially as this active region turns closer into view,' Ledvina said on social media. What are 'solar storms'? A solar storm is a sudden explosion of particles, energy, magnetic fields and material blasted into the solar system by the sun, NASA explains. A solar storm is caused due to a 'tangled mess of magnetic fields' created by the sun. According to NASA, these magnetic fields get twisted up as the sun rotates – with its equator rotating faster than its poles. 'Solar storms typically begin when these twisted magnetic fields on the sun get contorted and stretched so much that they snap and reconnect (in a process called magnetic reconnection), releasing large amounts of energy,' the space agency said. A solar storm can create major disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field, called a geomagnetic storm, the space agency's website reads. This storm can cause radio blackouts, power outages and beautiful auroras brought on by coronal mass ejections (CME), which occurs when charged solar particles pass through the Earth's atmosphere. What are 'solar flares'? A solar flare is an intense burst of radiation or light on the sun, according to the space agency. 'These flashes span the electromagnetic spectrum – including X-rays, gamma rays, radio waves and ultraviolet and visible light,' NASA said. Solar flares are the most powerful explosions in the solar system — the biggest ones can have as much energy as 'a billion hydrogen bombs,' according to NASA. Solar flares are classified as A, B, C, M and X – with X being the strongest flare and A being the weakest. 'The energy from a flare travels at the speed of light, which means it reaches Earth about eight minutes after a flare happens,' NASA said. 'Essentially, by the time we see a flare, most of its effects are here.' Solar flare Material rises from the edge of the sun, as seen in extreme ultraviolet light by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. (NASA/SDO) However, the harmful radiation from a flare does not affect us on the ground since we are shielded by Earth's atmosphere and magnetic field. But a strong flare can disrupt communications that pass through the upper atmosphere and affect satellites and other spacecrafts. 'There are five sunspot regions on the Earth-facing disc, however these are mostly small, simple and with little sign of growth,' the Met Office said in its latest space weather forecast. 'The most notable is in the north-centre, however this is overall much simpler and less active than a few days ago.' Another strong solar flare was recorded previously by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, peaking at 11:38 a.m. EDT on May 13. This flare is classified as an X1.2 flare, NASA says. The most powerful flare ever measured was recorded in 2003 as an X28, before NASA's sensors were overwhelmed by it. CTV News previously wrote that NASA had warned of potential blackouts on Earth due to these specific solar flares. However, NASA has said that solar flares can cause blackouts on Earth.
NDTV
21-05-2025
- Science
- NDTV
NASA Warns Of Massive Solar Storm That Could Trigger Blackouts
NASA has issued a warning about heightened solar activity in the coming days, cautioning that intense solar storms may disrupt communications, navigation systems, and even power grids on Earth. The alert follows the strongest solar flare of the year, captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. The powerful X2.7-class solar flare erupted from a newly active sunspot, AR4087, and peaked on May 14, causing temporary radio blackouts across Europe, Asia, and parts of the Middle East. According to the US-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the high-frequency communication outages lasted nearly ten minutes in some regions. NASA and the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center are closely tracking this active solar zone, which continues to release powerful radiation bursts. The agency has warned that further flares could impact astronauts, satellites, and Earth-based technologies, including GPS systems, aviation communication, and electrical infrastructure. Vincent Ledvina, a prominent aurora expert, said the situation is becoming "intense" as the active region rotates into full view of Earth. "This same sunspot just produced an M5.3 flare a few hours ago. What does it have planned next... we'll have to wait and see," he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). The Sun is currently nearing the peak of its 11-year solar cycle - known as the solar maximum - when such powerful eruptions become more frequent. The UK Met Office said these flares could produce visible auroras in parts of the UK and Ireland around May 22, though such stunning displays are also indicators of underlying geomagnetic disturbances. Solar flares are sudden bursts of radiation triggered by magnetic energy buildup in the Sun's atmosphere. An X-class flare - the most intense type - can significantly affect the Earth's ionosphere, interrupt satellite signals, and pose risks to space missions. Should the public be concerned? Experts say there is little cause for alarm among the general public, but sectors reliant on satellite navigation, aviation, and maritime operations are advised to remain alert to potential disruptions.
Express Tribune
20-05-2025
- Science
- Express Tribune
NASA issues warning on extreme solar weather with blackout potential
Photo: Sunspot activity grows as Nasa warns of possible blackouts and radio loss Listen to article Solar storms and intense space weather are expected in the coming days and weeks as a highly active region of the Sun becomes visible. This activity casue auroras and potential blackout on earth, astronomers warn. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory recently recorded the most powerful eruption of the year – an X2.7-class solar flare – from a newly formed sunspot cluster, now designated AR4087. The flare, which occurred earlier this week, triggered temporary radio blackouts across the Middle East. High-frequency signals were interrupted for roughly 10 minutes, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 'This is getting intense,' wrote space photographer Vincent Ledvina in a social media post. 'Especially as this active region turns closer into view.' Photo: Twitter WOW, happening now: an X2.7 flare from AR 4087 rotating in. This is getting intense, especially as this active region turns closer into view. This same AR just produced an M5.3 flare a few hours ago. What does this AR have planned over the next days… we'll have to wait and see. — Vincent Ledvina (@Vincent_Ledvina) May 14, 2025 Experts warn that continued activity from this area could cause further disturbances to satellite communications, navigation systems, and even electrical grids. There is also increased risk to spacecraft and astronauts due to heightened radiation exposure. The Sun is currently nearing the peak of its 11-year solar cycle – a phase known as the solar maximum – when magnetic turbulence is at its most extreme. This upheaval leads to frequent flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which can result in dazzling aurora displays when charged particles interact with Earth's magnetic field. With several sunspot regions now facing Earth and a magnetically active area emerging over the Sun's southeastern horizon, forecasters predict more intense solar weather events in the near future. 'There are currently up to five sunspot regions on the facing side of the Sun,' the UK Met Office stated in its latest space weather forecast.
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
Huge solar flare erupts from the Sun as scientists issue radio blackout warning
A huge X-class solar flare has erupted from the Sun, causing radio blackouts across the globe after it peaked on May 14, according to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center Experts issue a stark warning about potential radio blackouts following a colossal X-class solar flare that burst from the Sun. The flare, peaking on May 14 at roughly 8:35 AM (GMT), has already led to global communication disruptions, with the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) confirming the event's impact. Europe, Asia, and the Middle East felt the brunt of an R3-level radio blackout after the intense X2.7-class flare bombarded Earth's daylight side with a surge of X-rays and extreme ultraviolet radiation, detailed a report from According to The Express, this flare is considered one of the most potent in recent months, with solar flares classified by their intensity levels – A, B, C, M, and X - each representing a tenfold boost in emitted energy. Although the Earth dodged any direct hits from coronal mass ejections (CMEs) linked to this flare, scientific teams are keeping a close eye on developments, reports Bristol Live. CMEs, which are significant expulsions of solar plasma and magnetic fields into space, can instigate geomagnetic storms and, if they interact with our planet's magnetosphere, result in dazzling auroras. Originating from sunspot AR4087, which is progressively turning towards Earth, this region of the Sun has exhibited volatility, unleashing several flares within hours, including a formidable M5.3-class blaze before the larger X2.7 event. X highlights commentary from aurora expert Vincent Ledvina who cautioned, "This is getting intense, especially as this active region turns closer into view. "This same AR just produced an M5.3 flare a few hours ago. What does this AR have planned over the next days ... we'll have to wait and see." The X2.7 event marks the most powerful flare since March, when the Sun belted out an X1.2-class flare from sunspot region AR4086, now disappearing from our line of sight. There's growing concern over potential fresh eruptions and their possible disruption to communications, navigation systems, and satellites in orbit following the recent solar fireworks. With the United States and other parts of the world potentially in for more flaring, eyes are on the restless sunspot as it shuffles into a position that could see Earth cop a greater impact, according to the SWPC. For the moment, boffins are keeping a close watch on these developments. Yet, as AR4087 swivels to confront Earth more squarely each day, experts warn the next blast might not pass so benignly.
