The largest solar flare in years temporarily disrupts radio signals on Earth

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA’s telescope has captured the largest solar flare in years, temporarily knocking out radio communications on Earth.

The sun unleashed a huge flare on Thursday, causing two hours of radio interference in parts of the United States and other sunlit parts of the world. Scientists said it was the largest flare since 2017.

The government’s Space Weather Prediction Center said many pilots reported communications blackouts, and the impact was being felt across the country. Scientists are now monitoring this sunspot region and analyzing the possibility of a blast of plasma from the Sun, also known as a coronal mass ejection, directed toward Earth. The explosion occurred in the far northwestern part of the sun, according to the center.

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured the event in intense ultraviolet light, recording the powerful outpouring of energy as a huge, bright flash. Launched in 2010, the spacecraft is in a very high orbit around Earth, where it constantly monitors the Sun.

The Sun is approaching the peak of its 11-year or so solar cycle. Maximum sunspot activity is expected in 2025.

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