A series of powerful flares occurred on the Sun. What you need to know

More than ten solar flares, including those rated with the highest score of X, occurred on November 9th and 10th. The effect of them will reach the Earth on November 11-12 in the form of weak geomagnetic disturbances, but the risk of repeated events remains. Why there are disturbances in the Sun and how they affect our planet — in the material of Izvestia.

What is a solar flare?

• A solar flare looks like a rapid and intense change in brightness in the Sun. In fact, as a result of magnetic activity on its surface, an explosion occurs, which can be accompanied by the release of matter in the form of a prominence.

Solar flares lead to the release of plasma, which is also called the solar wind. Plasma reaches the Earth within two days, and gamma radiation spreads with it. The strongest impact will be on those who are currently on the International Space Station: therefore, if the cloud spreads towards the ISS, the crew will be urgently evacuated.

Magnetic storms in November 2025: forecast and impact

When to expect strong disturbances in November

• The main risk is the release of plasma towards the Earth. On November 9, according to scientists, the release of matter occurred along the Sun-Earth line with a partial shift to the north.

• Upon reaching the planet, the solar wind can trigger geomagnetic storms ranging from mild to moderate (G1–G2). Previously, powerful solar flares occurred on November 5-6, which led to magnetic storms from November 6 to November 8 at the G2.3 level (between medium and strong).

• Class X outbreaks are of the greatest concern to scientists. On November 9, an explosion of solar plasma destroyed a prominence, a cooler plasma cloud formed as a result of a previous major event. A second flare occurred on November 10 — it is expected that the resulting solar wind will overtake the ejected plasma, and they will unite.

Apathy in November: how to deal with weakness due to atmospheric pressure

• Class X flares are the most powerful, usually occurring at the peak of the solar cycle, which averages about 11 years. According to physicists, the next period of maximum solar activity falls on 2025-2026.

Effects of solar flares

• The release of solar plasma leads to geomagnetic disturbances and can in rare cases create radio interference. The most famous case of the impact of a large solar flare and a powerful release of plasma towards the Earth was a malfunction of the telegraph in Europe and North America in 1859. The phenomenon was called a "solar storm."

• Strong disturbances of the geomagnetic field can provoke the phenomenon of the northern Lights in atypical places. For example, during powerful magnetic storms in October 2024, the Aurora borealis could be observed by residents of Central and Southern Russia.

• Scientists disagree about the effects of geomagnetic storms on humans and animals, since there are no specific symptoms of geomagnetic disturbance effects on humans. But doctors note that weather-sensitive people can react to magnetic storms by increasing blood pressure, headaches, exacerbation of chronic diseases and allergies.

• Those who do not tolerate geomagnetic activity are advised to take a closer look at their health during this period: monitor changes in blood pressure, observe sleep patterns and avoid excessive exertion. Sports and activities that can cause stress should be postponed to another day.