The key facts

  • The M3.6 flare is the strongest in the past four weeks
  • The location of the flare region allows plasma ejections to reach Earth
  • Scientists do not expect the series of powerful events to continue

The most powerful flare in four weeks

A flare of magnitude M3.6 has been recorded on the Sun — the strongest of the past four weeks, the Laboratory of Solar Astronomy of the Space Research Institute (IKI) of the Russian Academy of Sciences reported. It was the most powerful since October 10, as noted by Gazeta.Ru citing the laboratory.

Possible impact on Earth

The site of the flare is located relatively close to the direction of Earth, so there is a probability that the ejected plasma clouds could reach the planet. Nevertheless, specialists have not yet recorded any negative consequences and continue to monitor the situation.

What to expect next

According to the scientists' current calculations, the star has enough energy reserves only for isolated bursts, not for a prolonged period of high activity, so a continuation of the series of such events is not expected. Earlier, on November 1, a weak flare occurred on the Sun, ending a four-day period without flare activity.

How flares are classified

Solar flares are divided into five classes — A, B, C, M and X — depending on the power of X-ray radiation. Class A0.0 corresponds to radiation in Earth's orbit of 10 nanowatts per square meter, and moving to the next letter increases the power tenfold. Flares can be accompanied by ejections of solar plasma, whose clouds, upon reaching Earth, can trigger magnetic storms.