Sun erupts with first X-class flare in months, earth hit by strong R3 radio blackouts

WEBSITE: In the early hours of Monday a powerful X1.4-class solar flare burst from the Sun’s surface, its strongest kind, and the first of this magnitude in months. Following this, the effects were felt across Earth within minutes, and suddenly, the Sun shined.

The flare peaked at 3:19 UTC, unleashing a surge of radiation that raced toward Earth at the speed of light.

On the sunlit side of the planet, skies remained calm to the eye, but high above, things were far from normal.

Airlines, ships, and communication networks across parts of Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Western Pacific experienced disruptions after the flare triggered a strong R3 radio blackout.

High-frequency radio signals flickered. GPS systems wavered. For a brief moment, the invisible threads connecting the modern world showed just how fragile they can be when the Sun stirs.

Scientists confirmed that the flare also launched a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME), a massive cloud of charged solar plasma, dashing through space at nearly 1,900 kilometers per second.

Now, all eyes are on its path.

If the CME reaches Earth and strikes its magnetic field, it could spark minor geomagnetic storms in the next 24 to 48 hours.

For most people, it may pass unnoticed.