4 ms·
Does this mean the maximum size is roughly an X51? "Although X is the last letter, there are flares more than 10 times the power of an X1, so X-class flares ca
by ipspam 5y ago
Does this mean the maximum size is roughly an X51?
"Although X is the last letter, there are flares more than 10 times the power of an X1, so X-class flares can go higher than 9. The most powerful flare on record was in 2003, during the last solar maximum. It was so powerful that it overloaded the sensors measuring it. They cut-out at X17, and the flare was later estimated to be about X45. A powerful X-class flare like that can create long lasting radiation storms, which can harm satellites and even give airline passengers, flying near the poles, small radiation doses. X flares also have the potential to create global transmission problems and world-wide blackouts." (1)
(1) https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/10109 https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/10109