Powerful Solar Flares Hit Earth, NASA and ISRO on High Alert

Washington: Scientists worldwide are closely monitoring unusual activity inside the Sun as it continues to emit powerful solar flares directly impacting Earth. Since February 1, the Sun has released a series of high-intensity flares, prompting space agencies from NASA to ISRO to issue warnings and closely track potential disruptions to Earth’s technology and communication systems.

What Are Solar Flares?
Solar flares are massive bursts of energy and radiation caused by explosions within the Sun. These flares are charged with magnetic energy and propagate through the solar system, often referred to as solar storms. When they interact with Earth’s atmosphere, they release significant amounts of electromagnetic radiation almost instantaneously, causing disturbances in the planet’s ionosphere.

Potential Threats to Earth
While solar flares do not directly harm humans on the ground, they can significantly disrupt high-frequency radio communications, navigation signals, and satellite operations. ISRO is currently monitoring over 50 operational satellites to mitigate any potential damage from the ongoing solar activity.

Record-Breaking Flares
NASA confirmed that the intense flares began on February 1. The most powerful flare peaked on February 4 at 7:13 AM EST. Captured by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, this flare is considered the brightest since October 2024 and ranks among the 20 most powerful solar flares recorded since 1996. Space agencies around the world are keeping a close watch on the Sun to anticipate any further geomagnetic impacts.