Latest news with #VincentLedvina
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.
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mail
NASA warns terrifying blackouts, dropped calls and GPS chaos could hit THIS WEEK
A massive solar storm is heading toward Earth, threatening to disrupt communications, navigation systems, and power grids around the world. NASA issued the warning after a powerful burst of energy from the sun last week, which measured as an X2.7-class solar flare, the highest category for solar flares. Solar flares are intense bursts of radiation that come from sunspots — darker, cooler areas on the sun's surface — and are among the most powerful explosions in the solar system. These flares can last from a few minutes to several hours. This X2.7 flare, released on May 14, came from the sun's most active region, which is now rotating directly toward Earth. The flare has already caused radio blackouts across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, along with some power degradation in the eastern US. NASA warned that more is to come, saying the bursts could continue to impact 'radio communications, electric power grids, navigation signals, and pose risks to spacecraft and astronauts'. Space expert Vincent Ledvina posted on X: 'This is getting intense, especially as this active region turns closer into view.' While NASA warned more blackouts and communication interference are expected in a matter of days, the agency also noted that several US states will witness stunning northern lights. Those include Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Maine, as well as parts of nearby states, including New York. the agency also noted that the storm will bring stunning northern lights across 11 US states. Solar flares are grouped into five categories: A, B, C, M, and X, with each level representing a tenfold increase in energy output. A is the weakest, and X is the strongest. The UK's Met Office reported that up to five sunspot regions are currently visible on the side of the sun facing Earth, with a new magnetically active region rotating into view over the southeastern solar horizon. The agency also noted that a region near the sun's northwest limb may have produced a moderate-class flare earlier on May 19. 'Solar activity is expected to remain mostly low, but with an ongoing chance of isolated moderate-class flares,' the Met Office added. This uptick in solar activity highlights the importance of monitoring space weather, especially as our society becomes more reliant on technology. As the sun continues through its active phase, more solar flares and potential geomagnetic storms could occur in the coming days and weeks. A geomagnetic storm is a temporary disturbance of Earth's magnetic field caused by a massive eruption of charged plasma from the Sun's outermost layer. One notable example occurred in 1989, when a powerful geomagnetic storm triggered a nine-hour blackout across Quebec, Canada. High-frequency radio communications — vital for aviation and maritime operations — are particularly vulnerable to such space weather events. Although not yet confirmed, there may have been a coronal mass ejection (CME) associated with the May 14 X-class flare. CMEs are large eruptions of solar plasma and magnetic fields that, if directed at Earth, can trigger geomagnetic storms and vivid auroras. For now, Earth may be spared, as the active region AR4087 is still located near the edge of the sun, not yet fully facing our planet.
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.
Wales Online
20-05-2025
- Science
- Wales Online
NASA warning as huge solar flare causes blackout with more to come
NASA warning as huge solar flare causes blackout with more to come A massive solar flare is rotating into view on the surface of the Sun and will line up with the Earth Illustration of a coronal mass ejection emanating from the Sun Everything from Northern Lights displays to internet, TV, radio and sat-nav blackouts could be on the way in the next few days and weeks as huge solar flares send electromagnetic radiation hurtling towards the Earth. The Sun's rotation is bringing an active part of the star into view, and NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory has already spotted a huge solar flare - categorised as the most powerful possible at X2.7. The impact of radiation from the flare has already disrupted radio signals in the Middle East. High frequency radio signals were disrupted for 10 minutes, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). A NASA spokesman said ongoing solar eruptions could hit 'radio communications, electric power grids, navigation signals, and pose risks to spacecraft and astronauts'. It comes as the Sun is at 'solar maximum' - the peak of its 11-year cycle. The star's magnetic poles have flipped and there is an increase in solar storms. This creates coronal mass ejections (CMEs), charged particles from the surface of the Sun which interact with Earth's atmosphere causing everything from tech blackouts to Northern Lights shows. The Met Office space weather forecast reads: 'There are currently up to five sunspot regions on the facing side of the Sun, with a new, apparently magnetically unipolar region rotating into view over the southeastern solar horizon." Article continues below Astronomers say sunspot AR4087 is coming into view and lining up with the Earth, increasing the chance of Northern Lights and blackouts. Aurora expert Vincent Ledvina said: "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."
