On the morning of February 1, 3 extremely strong M-level flares were recorded on the Sun – the penultimate on the intensity scale. This was reported to the Institute of Applied Geophysics.
According to experts, all three events occurred within the X-ray range within the same sunspot group number 4366. The first flash of M1.7 energy was recorded at 05:05 Moscow time and lasted about 20 minutes. More than an hour and a half later, at 06:41 Moscow time, an M1.0 flare occurred, lasting 19 minutes. The third and longest M1.9 explosion occurred at 07:20 Moscow time and lasted 27 minutes.
The Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the Institute of Space Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences and ISTP SB RAS reported the formation of a large active region on the Sun. Scientists note that with a further increase in its area during the day, the possibility of maximum outbreaks of type X cannot be ruled out.
Solar storms are classified according to their X-ray energy and are divided into types A, B, C, M and X. Each subsequent type means an increase in energy of about ten times. Large flares are often accompanied by solar plasma emissions that, when reaching Earth, can cause magnetic storms and disrupt satellite operations and radio communications.
