Since February 1, 2026, the Sun has unleashed a sustained series of powerful solar flares, prompting warnings and close monitoring from space agencies worldwide, including India’s ISRO.
What are Sun Solar Flares ?
A solar flare is a massive explosion on the Sun’s surface caused by the sudden release of tangled magnetic energy. It sends intense bursts of radiation and light into space. While Earth’s atmosphere protects us, strong flares can disrupt GPS, radio signals, and power grids.However, these flares pose no direct danger to people on the ground.
Space weather monitoring organisations, including NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, have recorded the recent activity, identifying these events as some of the most intense in recent years. The flares since February 1 rank among the top 20 most powerful solar outbursts observed since continuous satellite tracking began in 1996.
The strong solar activity is tied to a particularly active region on the Sun’s surface. These active regions are natural hot spots for flares, especially near the peak of the Sun’s 11-year cycle, which scientists say is underway now and expected to continue through 2026.
Alerts By ISRO and NASA
India’s space agency ISRO has issued alerts and is closely tracking more than 50 operational satellites to guard against possible impacts. Agency officials warn there is a “strong possibility” of radio blackouts affecting certain frequency bands, and have placed mission control centres on heightened alert to respond quickly to any disturbances.
International partners, including NASA and other space weather prediction centres, are also observing the Sun’s behaviour to assess the ongoing risk. While flares themselves do not cause extensive physical damage on Earth, their effects on communication infrastructure and space-based technologies can be significant during strong solar storms.
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