LOS ANGELES, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- A strong solar flare emitted on Wednesday could temporarily disrupt high-frequency (HF) radio communications, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The flare was classified as an X4.2 flare, NOAA said. X-class flares represent the most intense category of solar flares, with the number indicating precise strength.
NOAA noted that flares of this magnitude occurring in and around the solar maximum are generally not common, although not necessarily unusual. Such strong solar flares can be impulsive, lasting some minutes, or persist for a few hours.
According to NOAA, the flare could cause immediate and widespread degradation or loss of HF radio signals across much of the sunlit side of Earth. Users of HF radio communications in affected regions may experience brief to several-hour disruptions.
Solar flares, powerful bursts of energy from the Sun, and related eruptions can also impact electric power grids and navigation signals, and may pose risks to spacecraft and astronauts. ■