Science
Possible consequences on Earth after a strong solar flare
The sun constantly sends radiation and charged particles into space. This stream of particles is called the solar wind. If this flow is significantly stronger than usual for a short time and in a limited area, it is called an eruption. photo
© Solar Orbiter/EUI Team/ESA & NASA/dpa
The surface of the sun is bubbling again. We could also feel this on Earth.
The consequences of a strong solar flare could also affect Earth in the coming days. The US space agency NASA announced that one of the most violent solar flares in recent years has now been observed. Such eruptions could disrupt communications waves, power grids and navigation signals, among other things, and also posed a risk to spacecraft and astronauts, it said.
The sun’s activity has been increasing again since December 2019. Approximately every eleven years, in a so-called solar cycle, there are phases of weak and strong activity. The sun is currently approaching a maximum.