The strongest M-class solar flare in two weeks occurred on the Sun
The strongest M-class solar flare in two weeks occurred on the Sun; approximately 20 flares were recorded within a single day, according to the Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the Institute for Space Research and the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences on Wednesday.
Consensus
- A strong solar flare occurred on July 22 at approximately 09:35 Moscow time.
- The flare was the strongest recorded in over two weeks.
- Solar activity has increased significantly in the past 24 hours, with around 20 flares registered.
- Flares originated from geoeffective solar regions capable of influencing Earth.
- No direct threat to Earth has been identified at this time.
- Geomagnetic indices have risen but remain below the threshold for magnetic storms.
- Scientists expect continued flare activity in the coming days, possibly reaching X-level events.
Points of divergence
- The strongest solar flare since July 7 occurred on July 22; it was part of a general increase in solar activity over the past day. Two sunspot groups formed, causing increased activity. — vm
- The current rise in activity is considered local and linked to the appearance of an isolated large sunspot group numbered 4493; overall solar activity remains low. — vesti
- The flare was classified as M-class, which are strong flares capable of causing radio disturbances on Earth and possible geomagnetic storms. — interfax
- On July 5, the Sun recorded a record number of flares in 24 hours—24 to 26 depending on time zone—which broke the previous two-year daily record. The largest sunspot group (4478) had moved toward the western edge of the solar disk and would soon leave Earth's view. — vedomosti
- The peak activity occurred on July 5, with a new daily record for flares over two years. The sunspot group 4478 reached its maximum size at 1,190 units and is expected to decrease in influence by mid-week. — m24
- Sunspot group 4478 has grown to 1,500 units; the largest active region of the last ten years was only slightly larger than this. A second active region (4479) is developing nearby. — gazeta_spb
- Two M-class flares occurred on June 22 from sunspot group 4473, with a significant plasma ejection not directed toward Earth; the group will face Earth by June 25 but remains uncertain in its impact. — fontanka
Coverage (7 sources)
- The most powerful solar flare in two weeks occurred on the Sun — Вечерняя Москва
- Largest solar flare since July 7 occurs — Вести
- Russian scientists record the strongest solar flare in two weeks — Интерфакс
- Record number of solar flares observed in a single day over the past two years — Ведомости
- Record number of solar flares recorded on the Sun in two years — Москва 24
- Second-largest active region on the Sun in ten years has formed - SPB Newspaper — Gazeta.SPb
- Two strong flares occurred on the Sun — Фонтанка