This hasn’t happened for six years: a flare of the highest category occurred on the Sun

However, scientists are not yet sure that it will cause a strong magnetic storm on Earth

The most powerful flare in the last six years was recorded on the Sun — X2.8. It occurred on December 14 at 20:00 Moscow time, reports NASA with reference to specialists from the SDO solar observatory.

Photo: nasa.gov

According to astronomers, this flare is the most powerful in the current cycle of solar activity. The last time something like this happened was on September 10, 2017, that is, more than 6 years ago.

As MK commented in IZMIRAN, the fact that the flare occurred near the western edge of the solar disk may indicate that we may be able to avoid a strong magnetic storm. If solar matter touches the Earth, it will be by the edge.

Russian scientists have confirmed that, indeed, there has not been a more powerful flare than the current one for the last 6 years. Only on 09/10/17 the flash power was much greater than this — X8.2. This year, X-class flares have already been recorded — X2.2 (February 17) and X2.1 (March 3). By the way, yesterday three flares M5.8, M2.3 and X2.8 were registered at once. “These emissions will probably touch the edge of our magnetosphere. The emissions are quite good, which, when propagating to the Earth, should mix, since the speed of the last emission is estimated to be greater than that of the first two,” the institute said.

If a magnetic storm from this flare is destined to occur, it should be expected on December 16.