The Sun, Earth’s constant star, has erupted into a series of powerful solar flares since February 1, compelling leading space agencies around the world — including ISRO, NASA and NOAA — to declare heightened space-weather alerts.
Over the past several days, an unusually active and rapidly expanding sunspot region, designated AR4366, has been spewing a barrage of high-energy solar flares toward Earth. These bursts include numerous M-class mid-strength events and several intense X-class flares — the most energetic category on the solar scale — with the strongest measuring X8.3. This marks the most powerful solar eruption observed in 2026 so far.
Solar flares unleash vast amounts of electromagnetic radiation that reach Earth in about eight minutes. While harmless to human health on the ground, this radiation can dramatically disturb the upper atmosphere, particularly the ionosphere, where long-distance radio signals propagate. Disruptions can lead to radio blackouts, affect navigation systems (like GPS), and disturb satellite operations critical for communications and weather forecasting.
Responding to the surge in activity, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has placed over 50 operational satellites under continuous watch. “There is a strong possibility of radio blackouts. All ISRO satellites are being monitored very closely,” said Anil Kumar, Director of ISRO’s Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC). Contingency plans and ground-based alerts are in place to swiftly address any anomalies.
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has also classified some of the recent events at R-3 levels — indicating strong radio blackouts — particularly affecting shortwave communication in portions of the South Pacific, eastern Australia, and New Zealand.
Scientists are watching closely to determine whether any of these flares will be followed by coronal mass ejections (CMEs) — large expulsions of solar plasma that can intensify geomagnetic storms upon Earth impact. Early models suggest that while much of the solar material may pass harmlessly by Earth, minor glancing impacts with increased geomagnetic activity remain possible in the coming days.
With Solar Cycle 25 approaching its peak, experts warn that heightened solar activity — and its effects on technology and communication infrastructure — could persist through 2026
