Sun witnesses a massive explosion on April 23: How it will impact Earth | - Times of India

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In a celestial event of extraordinary rarity, the Sun has exhibited a "super" explosion, characterized by the simultaneous eruption of four

solar flares

. This phenomenon, which unfolded in the early hours of April 23, has captivated astronomers and sparked discussions about its potential implications for Earth.

Solar flares are powerful bursts of radiation that emanate from the Sun's surface when magnetic energy that has built up in the solar atmosphere is suddenly released.

These flares are often associated with sunspots, the dark patches on the Sun's surface, which are cooler areas caused by interactions with the Sun's magnetic field.

The quadruple solar flares erupted from separate regions across the Sun's surface, each originating from different sunspots and a large magnetic filament—a loop of plasma suspended above the solar surface. The blast sites were spaced hundreds of thousands of miles apart, yet the flares were part of a single, interconnected eruption known as a sympathetic solar flare. This type of solar outburst occurs when sunspots or filaments are invisibly linked by massive magnetic field loops that arch above the solar surface. When one flare detonates, the others follow in rapid succession.

<p>The quadrapule solar flares caught on camera.<br></p><p> Source: NASA/SDO</p>

Sympathetic solar flares typically involve just two linked flares, ranging in intensity from minor outbursts to X-class flares, the most powerful class of solar flares. However, the recent event featured twice as many flares, earning it the designation of a "super-sympathetic" flare. The concurrent blasts covered approximately a third of the solar surface facing Earth, marking it as an exceptionally rare occurrence.

The significance of this event extends beyond its rarity. There is a possibility that one of the flares has launched a

solar storm

toward Earth. Solar storms, also known as

coronal mass ejections

(CMEs), are massive clouds of plasma and radiation that can have significant effects when they collide with Earth's magnetic field. Potential impacts include disruptions to power grids, interference with communication networks, and increased radiation exposure for astronauts and aircraft passengers.

Moreover, solar storms can lead to spectacular natural light shows known as

auroras

, which are typically visible near the Earth's magnetic poles. If the ejected material from the super-sympathetic eruption is Earth-directed, skywatchers may be treated to impressive auroral displays at latitudes beyond their usual polar range.

The occurrence of this quadruple solar flare is not an isolated incident. It follows a series of sympathetic solar flares that have taken place in 2024, including a pair of explosions in January and an X-class flare duo in March. These events underscore the dynamic and unpredictable nature of our star, reminding us of the Sun's capacity to influence our planet in profound ways.

As we await confirmation of a CME and its potential trajectory toward Earth, the scientific community remains vigilant, monitoring the Sun's activity and preparing for any possible outcomes. This

super-sympathetic flare

serves as a reminder of the complex connections within our solar system and the importance of studying space weather to better understand and mitigate its effects on our technologically dependent society.

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