Quadruple solar flare phenomenon astonishes scientists

The Sun, which is now approaching the maximum phase of its solar cycle, surprises with its activity. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory scientists have recently observed as many as four solar flares occurring almost simultaneously. Such events are quite rare.

Solar flares are powerful explosions on the Sun's surface. They occur when the energy stored in the magnetic fields of active regions, usually located above sunspots, is suddenly released.

Typically, these events are individual flares, varying in strength and rated according to a special classification system. Flares range from class A - the weakest and most common, through B, C, and M, to class X - the strongest. Additionally, scientists utilize a scale from 1 to 9 to describe these cosmic phenomena more precisely.

On Tuesday, April 23, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory witnessed four solar flares erupting almost simultaneously, just minutes apart. The explosions occurred near three sunspots and a large solar filament. Live Science points out that the sites of the explosions were hundreds of thousands of miles apart, covering about one-third of the Sun's surface facing Earth.

This phenomenon of concurrent explosions is termed "sympathetic solar flare." Live Science explains that this happens when sunspots or solar filaments are connected by massive magnetic field loops arching over the Sun's surface.

Such a connection means the explosion of one spot or filament can trigger a chain reaction, leading to subsequent explosions. Typically, this results in two explosions, but this time there were four, an event considered extremely rare by Space.com.

Experts are still unsure about the strength of these explosions. However, they haven't ruled out the possibility that the material ejected during the explosions could reach our planet. There's a risk that the resulting coronal mass ejection (CME) was directed towards Earth. If confirmed, we might be facing a geomagnetic storm.