Scientists detect powerful new solar flare: Earth braces for potential impact

A strong M-class solar flare erupted from the Sun today, as reported by the Institute of Applied Geophysics in Russia.

Report informs that the intense burst of energy, lasting 24 minutes, was accompanied by disruptions in short-wave radio communications.

This latest solar event follows a coronal mass ejection (CME) on May 29, which triggered disturbances in Earth's magnetic field. While the current level of geomagnetic disturbance has not yet reached the G1 (minor) threshold, scientists predict that a magnetic storm could strike Earth between May 31 and June 1.

The anticipated storm has the potential to escalate to a G3 level, classified as a strong geomagnetic disturbance on the five-level scale, where G1 represents minor disturbances and G5 signifies extreme conditions. The previous X1.4/2B class flare on May 29, which was accompanied by a CME directed towards Earth, is expected to cause moderate to strong geomagnetic field disturbances.