A powerful X-class solar flare erupted from the sun’s surface, triggering a radio blackout over southern Africa. The eruption, which occurred on December 8, released a coronal mass ejection (CME) into space, but Earth is not in the direct firing line.
According to Space Weather Physicist Tamitha Skov, the solar storm will graze Earth to the west, resulting in only mild impacts by midday December 11. This means that southern Africa, which was illuminated by the sun at the time of the outburst, experienced radio blackouts.
Solar flares are powerful bursts of energy originating from the sun’s surface, releasing strong electromagnetic radiation. They come in five classes: A, B, C, M, and X. The most intense solar flares can disrupt satellites and cause significant impacts, such as radio blackouts.
The ionization caused by solar flares affects high-frequency shortwave radio signals used for long-distance communication. As these radio waves pass through the electrically charged atmosphere, they experience energy loss due to frequent collisions with electrons, which can weaken or fully absorb the radio signals.
This X-class solar flare is a reminder of the sun’s immense power and its potential impact on Earth.
Source: https://www.space.com/the-universe/sun/sun-unleashes-impulsive-x-class-solar-flare-triggering-radio-blackout-over-southern-africa-video