A surprise X-class solar flare unleashed by the Sun on Monday is expected to graze Earth’s atmosphere on Wednesday, 11 December 2024.
X-class solar flare is headed for Earth: Here’s what it means for South Africa
While South Africans can expect minimal impact, the event could lead to minor radio blackouts and disruptions in high-frequency (HF) communication systems, particularly for aviation and maritime operations, according to forecasts by the South African National Space Agency (SANSA).
Solar flares are powerful bursts of radiation caused by magnetic energy released by the Sun.
Classified into five categories—A, B, C, M, and X—X-class flares are the strongest, capable of causing geomagnetic storms, disrupting communication networks, and creating vibrant auroras near the poles.
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This particular flare, while classified as X-class, is expected to only graze Earth’s magnetic field, minimising its impact.
SANSA notes that such events primarily affect regions with active sunspot configurations and areas reliant on HF communication.
According to the SA space agency, current solar activity remains at C-class levels, with six sunspot regions visible.
The solar wind is slowing, and no Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) have been observed in the past 24 hours.
Geomagnetic conditions are also projected to remain “quiet to unsettled” (Kp levels 1-3).
The agency assures South Africans that severe disruptions are unlikely.
However, local HF communications may experience slight instability, and systems such as satellite navigation could display minor inaccuracies during the event.
How to prepare for solar activity
For South Africans reliant on HF communications, monitoring updates from SANSA is advised.
Experts recommend limiting reliance on long-range HF radio communication during the peak hours of Wednesday, 11 December 2024.
While this event is not expected to create visible auroras in the Southern Hemisphere, space weather enthusiasts, who will be looking forward to the Geminid meteor shower taking place later this week, may wish to track global observations for further updates.
