Recent reports of powerful solar flares erupting from the Sun have sparked global attention and woken up conspiracy theorists (cue end-of-the-world theories). This prompted warnings of radio blackouts, disrupted GPS signals and heightened aurora activity. Online speculation has gone further, raising fears of mass power failures and internet shutdowns.

So what exactly is happening and should we be worried?

The short answer: solar flare activity is increasing, as expected, but there is no cause for panic. But the flares remind us just how dependent modern society has become on technologies vulnerable to space weather.

So what is a solar flare?

A solar flare is a sudden, intense burst of radiation released when magnetic energy on the Sun’s surface snaps and reorganises. These events occur near sunspots, which are darker, magnetically active regions on the Sun.

Unlike solar storms that travel slowly through space, radiation from a solar flare moves at the speed of light and reaches Earth in about eight minutes. This radiation can immediately affect the upper atmosphere, particularly the ionosphere, where many communication signals travel.

Solar flares are classified according to strength:

C-class flares are relatively weak and usually have little noticeable impact on Earth.

M-class flares are stronger and can disrupt radio communications, particularly over polar regions.

X-class flares are the most powerful and can cause widespread radio blackouts and increased radiation exposure for satellites. These are the type of flares that people are worried about. 

The recent concern stems from the detection of multiple M- and X-class flares within a short period.

Why is activity increasing now?

The Sun operates on an approximately 11-year cycle, moving between periods of low and high activity. Scientists say the Sun is currently at or near solar maximum, the peak of this cycle.

During solar maximum, sunspots become more frequent and solar flares occur more often. Therefore, the likelihood of geomagnetic storms increases.

In other words, what is being observed now is scientifically anticipated, not an anomaly.

How do solar flares affect Earth?

The most immediate effects of strong solar flares include:

• Shortwave radio blackouts, particularly affecting aviation, maritime communication and emergency services that rely on high-frequency radio
• GPS signal degradation, reducing accuracy for navigation systems
• Disruptions to satellites, which may enter protective “safe mode” during extreme space weather

What solar flares do not do is cause direct harm to people on the ground. Earth’s atmosphere protects human life from the radiation associated with flares.

Not all solar flares are linked to more severe space weather. The most damaging effects tend to occur when a solar flare is accompanied by a coronal mass ejection (CME), which is a massive cloud of charged particles thrown into space.

If a CME is Earth-directed, it can trigger a geomagnetic storm hours or days after the initial flare, potentially affecting power grids and satellite infrastructure.

The real risk: rare but extreme events

We established the different types of flares and what they can do, but what would the most extreme case look like? Much of the public anxiety surrounding solar flares stems from references to historic extreme events, particularly the Carrington Event of 1859, the most powerful solar storm on record. That event caused telegraph systems to fail and auroras to appear near the equator.

Scientists agree that a Carrington-level storm today could cause serious technological disruption, including: Damage to high-voltage power transformers, prolonged satellite outages and widespread communication disruptions.

However, researchers emphasise that such events are rare and most solar flares, even strong ones, result in short-lived and manageable disruptions rather than catastrophic failure.

Should the public be concerned?

It is worth stressing that the answer to this is no. Most solar flares may cause temporary disruptions but are resolved within hours and most importantly, do not affect daily life for most people.

For the general public, there is no need for special precautions beyond staying informed through credible sources.

IOL

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