A powerful solar flare erupted from the Sun’s surface early Monday, sending electromagnetic pulses toward Earth and causing widespread disruptions in satellite communications, GPS navigation, and power grids.
The flare, classified as an X9-class event — one of the most severe types — struck Earth’s magnetic field around 8 a.m. GMT. Scientists at NASA’s Space Weather Prediction Center confirmed that this was the strongest solar flare recorded since 2003.
Airlines rerouted transpolar flights to avoid potential radio blackouts, and several parts of northern Europe experienced temporary power outages. In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported intermittent issues with air traffic communication in Alaska and northern Canada.
While Earth’s atmosphere protects humans on the ground from radiation, astronauts aboard the International Space Station took emergency shelter in reinforced modules to minimize exposure.
Space weather experts warn that more solar activity could be on the way, as the Sun approaches the peak of its 11-year solar cycle. Governments and tech companies are closely monitoring the situation to safeguard critical infrastructure.
Although disruptions have so far been minor, authorities stress that larger storms could have catastrophic effects, highlighting the urgent need for better space weather preparedness systems.