Sun attacks the airwaves: Class X1.9 flare causes radio outages over the Pacific
20 June 2025 19:33
On the night of June 20, the Sun recorded one of the most powerful solar flares of the current cycle – an X1.9 flare that caused a radio silence over the Pacific Ocean. This is reported by Space.com with reference to Space Weather Live and Spaceweather, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
Class X flares are the most powerful in the classification of solar activity. The higher the number after X, the stronger the flare. In the case of X1.9, we are talking about an event on the verge of ultra-high intensity.
Consequences: radio signals, in particular in Hawaii, stopped working at frequencies below 25 MHz. This was due to the fact that X-rays and ultraviolet radiation instantly ionized the upper atmosphere, making it difficult for shortwave communications to travel long distances.
The source of the outbreak is the sunspot core #4114, which exhibits high magnetic instability. It was in this area that another powerful flare of the X1.2 class occurred a few days ago.
In addition to the flare itself, astronomers recorded the movement of a large magnetic prominence in the southern hemisphere of the Sun. Although the X1.9 flare was not accompanied by a coronal mass ejection (CME), the prominence could change this – and in the event of an ejection, a geomagnetic storm on Earth will become a reality.
Forecast: activity in region 4114 may increase. New flares are not excluded in the coming days, and if they are directed towards the Earth, we may experience magnetic storms and auroras even in mid-latitudes.
Solar flares of this magnitude have a significant impact on global communications, aviation, satellite systems, and energy infrastructure. The current 25th solar cycle, which has reached its maximum, shows an increase in the intensity of such events.
