The most powerful flare of the highest activity class was recorded at about 19:00 (Moscow time) on the Sun, according to the website of the Physics Institute of the Academy of Sciences.
According to scientists, the outbreak belongs to class X, it was assigned a score of X8.2. As for the flash activity index, it reaches 9.8 points out of 10 possible. Recently, this is the fourth most powerful explosion recorded on the Sun.
Previous outbreaks
A series of flares on the luminary began on Monday - then scientists recorded five emissions of class M energy. Two days later, scientists announced the most powerful solar flare in the past 12 years. The outbreak was rated X9.3.
On September 7, the second most powerful outbreak occurred, which was assigned the highest class of activity - X. As the scientists said, what happened was a natural result of changes in the solar corona.
On September 8th, a third powerful outbreak occurred, which was also classified as Class X.
"Sunquake"
According to scientists, during the first powerful flare on the Sun, seismic waves, called "sunquakes", spread.
However, experts noted that this phenomenon does not pose any harm.
"Almost no one will notice anything," said Alexei Struminsky, a leading employee of the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
"Placebo effect"
The Moscow Space Club said that the effect of solar flares, even powerful ones, on the health of earthlings has not yet been proven by science, but the so-called "placebo effect" from reading messages about increased solar activity can lead to a deterioration in the psycho-emotional state.
"Such facts have not yet been recorded by scientific research. Theoretically, yes, it is possible, but practically it has not been proven. It must be understood that the" placebo effect "in the sensations of people reading news about flares, as well as spots on the Sun, has a stronger effect on them. physical and psycho-emotional state. A person worries, expects troubles, so they happen, "- said Ivan Moiseev.
The placebo effect, as scientists believe, leads to a deterioration or improvement in human health due to the fact that he believes in the effectiveness of some influence from the outside, in fact, neutral.
According to scientists, the explosion on the Sun belongs to the highest class X with a score of X8.2. For comparison, on Wednesday, September 6, there was the most powerful outbreak in 12 years with a score of X9.3.
In terms of the flash activity index, the flash that occurred on Sunday reaches 9.8 points out of 10.
The first two most powerful flares occurred on September 6, while the second of them turned out to be the most powerful in the last 12 years. The next outbreak, which was assigned the highest activity class - X9.3, occurred on September 7, between 17.00 Moscow time and 18.00 Moscow time. Another one - already on Friday, September 8, at 11.00 Moscow time.
This event on the same day caused disruptions in radio communications and GPS signal reception on the daytime side of the Earth, which lasted for about an hour.
The head of the press service (Beeline brand) said that the solar flare did not affect the communication system and everything was working as usual.
“The solar flare did not affect the operation of the Beeline network. Everything is working as usual, ”the company representative assured.
The flare on the Sun, which occurred on September 6, may cause failures in the operation of space technology, as well as communication systems. This warning was made by the head of the Space Weather Center of the Institute of Terrestrial Magnetism, Ionosphere and Radio Wave Propagation named after Pushkov RAS.
Solar flares are catastrophic phenomena on the surface of the Sun caused by reconnection (reconnection) of magnetic field lines "frozen in" into the solar plasma. At some point, the extremely twisted magnetic field lines break off and reconnect in a new configuration, releasing a colossal amount of energy.
Depending on the intensity of solar flares, they are classified, and in this case we are talking about the most powerful flares - X-class. The energy released by such flares is equivalent to the explosions of billions of megaton hydrogen bombs.
The strongest solar flare recorded in the modern era occurred on November 4, 2003, and it was classified as X28 (its consequences were not so catastrophic as the ejection was not directed directly to Earth).
Extreme solar flares can be accompanied by powerful ejections of matter from the solar corona, the so-called coronal mass ejections. For the Earth, it can be both more and less dangerous - depending on whether the release is directed directly to our planet. In any case, the consequences of these emissions are felt in 1-3 days. We are talking about billions of tons of matter flying at a speed of hundreds of kilometers per second.
This time, a huge mass of matter was just on the way to Earth. This was evidenced by data from solar coronagraphs observing the outer layers of the solar atmosphere.
As expected, the extreme activity of the Sun has already caused the strongest magnetic storm on Earth, which was assigned the fourth level on a five-point scale.
“The plasma cloud from the Sun came to orbit our planet at about 2 am Moscow time, about 12 hours earlier than expected. This means that its speed exceeded the expected 1.5 times, and the impact on the Earth was made with more power than expected.
The direction of the magnetic field of the ejection, based on the data of the ACE device, is unfavorable for our planet - the field is directed opposite to that of the Earth and is currently “burning” the lines of the Earth's field, ”explained the chief researcher of FIAN.
However, current events are far from the so-called Carrington event - the most powerful geomagnetic storm in the entire history of observations, which broke out in 1859. From August 28 to September 2, numerous sunspots and flares were observed on the Sun.
The British astronomer Richard Carrington observed the most powerful of them on September 1, which probably caused a large coronal mass ejection, which reached Earth in a record time of 18 hours. Unfortunately, there were no modern instruments at that time, but the consequences were obvious for everyone without it - from intense auroras in the equatorial region to sparkling telegraph wires.
Surprisingly, the current events are taking place against the background of a decrease in the level of solar activity, when the natural 11-year cycle ends, when the number of sunspots decreases. However, many scientists remind that it is during the period of decrease in activity that the most powerful outbreaks often occur, erupting as if at the end.
And again, the most powerful flash of the highest activity class was recorded on the Sun. As RIA Novosti reported, citing data from scientists from the Physics Institute of the Academy of Sciences, the outbreak occurred at about 19:00 on September 10 on the Sun.
According to scientists, the outbreak belongs to class X, it was assigned a score of X8.2. The flash activity index reached 9.8 points out of 10 possible.
A few days ago, on September 6, it became known about the most powerful flare in the last 12 years, which resulted from the merger of the two largest sunspot groups. The next day, September 7, the second most powerful outbreak occurred, which was assigned the highest activity class - X. And on September 8, scientists recorded, which was also attributed to class X.
REFERENCE "KP":
IMPORTANT
Magnetic storms will hit people
Many inhabitants of the planet may experience health problems during a magnetic storm. There are even separate opinions, repeatedly confirmed in practice, that many during magnetic storms begin to worry about old wounds, scars, damaged bones or sore joints.
Magnetic storms also negatively affect meteorological people - headaches, depression, and mood swings are possible here.
And the most unfavorable solar flares are considered for the conquerors of space. After all, waves of powerful explosive energy may well damage communication satellites, and even spacecraft, completely disabling devices and control systems. It should be remembered that solar flares significantly increase the level of radiation, and people in outer space can easily be exposed to strong radiation. Passengers of airliners are also at risk of radiation exposure.
Who is at risk:
- population suffering from cardiovascular diseases, migraines, surges in blood pressure;
- people with chronic illnesses that are exacerbated by each solar energy flash and subsequent magnetic storm;
- suffering from insomnia and loss of appetite;
- mentally unbalanced individuals.
How to escape from magnetic storms?
On days, and for especially sensitive ones, a day or two, doctors recommend paying attention to your lifestyle. Eat right (exclude spicy, salty, fatty), exclude alcohol, strong coffee and tea. Drink more pure water, herbal teas and infusions. That is, while the flow of energy is just moving towards the Earth, one can begin to prepare.
By the way, many therapists believe that the more a person's immunity is weakened, the more he is physically and emotionally exhausted, the stronger the influence of a magnetic storm can be. Conversely, if your lifestyle allows you to remain calm, vigorous and cheerful, then no geomagnetic disturbances and solar activity are afraid of you.
From open sources
Scientists have announced a new powerful solar flare. It was fixed the night before by specialists from the Laboratory of X-ray Astronomy of the Sun (FIAN).
According to their estimates, the outbreak belongs to the highest activity class X, it was assigned a score of X8.2. As for the flash activity index, it reaches 9.8 points out of 10 possible.
Solar activity for the last 24 hours Laboratory of X-ray Astronomy of the Sun (FIAN)
"The X8.2 level outbreak became the second strongest since 2005 and is second only to its direct predecessor, which happened four days earlier," the FIAN report says.
Didn't come first
Note that in recent years this is already the fourth most powerful explosion recorded on the Sun. A series of flashes on the star began a week earlier.
Solar activity per month Laboratory of X-ray Astronomy of the Sun (FIAN)
So, on Monday, September 4, scientists recorded five emissions of energy of class M, and two days later - level X9.3.
The next day, September 7, there was a second powerful outbreak, which was assigned the highest class of activity - X. However, its strength was comparatively less - X1.3.
On September 8, experts recorded the third most powerful outbreak of class X. It was almost equal in strength to the last one - X8.1.
The shock wave from the first flare reached the Earth at midnight on September 8 and triggered a strong (fourth level on a five-point scale) geomagnetic storm.
The main energy of the explosion will pass the Earth
According to scientists, this time, most likely, the Earth will bypass the negative effects of solar activity. “At the moment, our planet is being bombarded by heavy particles that came from the Sun ... Judging by the shape of the flare radiation profile, it was accompanied by a large ejection of matter that went into interplanetary space. The speed and direction of the ejection have not yet been determined. Despite the power of the events, they are likely to remain the only manifestations of the outbreak, and the mass ejection, containing the main energy of the explosion, will not come to the Earth, "the FIAN report says.
As the scientists explained, the solar flare that occurred, although it was visible from the Earth, formally occurred on the reverse side of the solar disk, its central explosion vector was directed not towards our planet, but away from it. "Given the current arrangement of the planets of the solar system, the main and very powerful blow this time will fall on Venus, which is now almost exactly on the central line of ejection," the FIAN report suggests.
At the same time, experts note that, despite the unexpectedness and incredible strength of the events taking place in the last days on the Sun, they are considered as a one-time burst of activity - "probably the last one before the long hibernation of the Sun, into which it should have fallen (and it seemed fell) for the next few years. " "If this is not the case, and the ongoing burst of activity continues or, moreover, drags on until the end of the year, we will have to admit that the Sun has had a rather serious deviation from the 11-year cycle, the possible consequences of which will still have to be understood," the message summarizes ...
Why are solar flares dangerous?
The Sun's atmosphere is a seething ocean of incandescent plasma. Powerful magnetic fields constantly arise in it, the lines of force of which are lined up in arches, loops or other structures. They are unstable: from time to time, magnetic laces break down, merge or rearrange. In this case, the energy stored in them can be released and heat the gas at the place of the breakthrough so that it becomes noticeably hotter than even the surrounding bubbling hell. This is a solar flare - a super-powerful process of release of light, thermal and kinetic energy in all layers of the luminary's atmosphere. It lasts for several minutes, while releasing billions of megatons of energy in TNT equivalent, and affects the planets. In the case of the Earth - on the weather, as well as the behavior and health of living organisms.
Already 8 and a half minutes after the explosion on the Sun, the photons from the flash reach the Earth. A little later, within the first hour, powerful streams of charged particles begin to attack the atmosphere of our planet. The final stage of the offensive is the plasma clouds from the solar flare, which reach the Earth after two to three days.
First of all, solar flares are dangerous for astronauts, because they are outside the protective shell of the Earth. The powerful fluxes of protons formed during the explosion increase the level of radiation and threaten astronauts with serious radiation.
From open sources
Note that traditionally the power of solar flares is measured by X-ray radiation. In total, they are divided into five classes: A, B, C, M and X. Class X unites the largest events. To calculate the X-ray flux in the Earth's region, you need to multiply the number after the letter X by 0.1 milliwatts per square meter. For example, a class X1.1 flash has a flux of 0.11 mW / m2. The recent "record holder" was assigned the class X9.3, which means that its X-ray flux was equal to 0.93 mW / m2.
It is noteworthy that there is a certain risk of radiation exposure even for passengers on airliners who fly during certain periods of the outbreak.
Also, waves of powerful explosive energy can disable satellites, aircraft, and communications. This also applies to GPS navigation, which can also malfunction.
The second blow falls on the weather and health of the planet's inhabitants. It occurs when a cloud of plasma from a solar flare reaches the Earth and provokes magnetic storms.
In particular, numerous studies suggest that hurricanes, typhoons and earthquakes most often occur on our planet during the period of solar activity. In support of this fact - which swept through Texas in late August, causing severe flooding in Houston, and which has already killed 14 people, continuing to rage in the Caribbean. The earthquake in southern Mexico also caused colossal damage.
As for human well-being and health, on the days of solar flares, brain activity is significantly reduced, and concentration of attention is greatly dulled, which is why the number of road accidents and other injuries increases.
In addition, for a number of people, magnetic storms are the causative agents of real anguish and frustration.
From open sources
There are many such groups: people with weakened immunity; population suffering from cardiovascular diseases, migraines, surges (drops) in blood pressure; people with chronic illnesses that are exacerbated by each solar energy flash and subsequent magnetic storm; a population subject to periodic manifestations of insomnia, loss of appetite, restless sleep; mentally unbalanced individuals.
There are also separate opinions, repeatedly confirmed in practice, that during magnetic storms, old wounds, scars, damaged bones or sore joints begin to disturb many.
People who do not tolerate magnetic storms are advised on such days to be under the sun as little as possible and in general in the fresh air. In addition, it is advised to refrain from heavy physical and mental stress.
Unimaginable theories
It is noteworthy that the largest of the possible consequences of solar flares is the displacement of the orbits of the planets, which can lead to the collision of the Earth and Venus and the end of the world. Now the minimum distance between the Earth and Venus is 38 million kilometers, at such a distance from each other the planets appear once every 584 days. Due to the displacement of the orbits of celestial bodies, as astronomers have already calculated, this approach will now occur twice as often - about once every 300 days. Most likely, the minimum distance between the planets will also change. However, so far this is only a theory.