The Sun experienced its most powerful flare since December 8

The most powerful solar flare since December 8th has occurred, The Daily Baku reports, citing the Telegram channel of the Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

"A major M5.1 flare was recorded at the eastern edge of the Sun early this morning Moscow time. The event's power was approximately 50% of the maximum X-magnitude threshold. Maximum emission was recorded at 4:50 AM Moscow time (5:50 AM Baku time)," the report stated.

According to experts, the expected peak of flare activity may occur during the New Year holidays. However, the likelihood of magnetic storms and bright auroras forming on New Year's Eve is currently considered low due to the active regions' significant distance from the Sun-Earth line.

Solar flares are divided into five classes based on the X-ray power they emit: A, B, C, M, and X. The minimum class, A0.0, corresponds to a radiation power of 10 nanowatts per square meter at Earth's orbit. As you move up to the next letter, the power increases tenfold. Flares can be accompanied by ejections of solar plasma, clouds of which, upon reaching Earth, can trigger magnetic storms.