New research reveals later-stage solar flares can disrupt communication systems

A recent study suggests that the later stage of a solar flare, known as EUV (extreme ultraviolet), can have a significant impact on the Earth’s satellites and communication systems. While the initial wave of a solar flare is well-known to cause disruptions, the secondary emission has been less studied. The research hinge that the EUV phase can emit  more energy over a longer period, affecting the ionosphere and potentially causing prolonged disruptions to communication systems.

The ionosphere, a part of the upper atmosphere, is critical  for satellites to send signals around the planet. Changes to the ionosphere can completely disrupt communication. The study’s corresponding author, Dr. Susanna Bekker, said that the importance of understanding the impact of solar flares on the ionosphere, as it can cause failures in daily technology and negatively affect navigation systems and radio communications.

The research investigate data from previous X-class flares, the most powerful type of solar flare, to understand how the ionosphere responds to an EUV late-phase flare. The findings highlight the need for further study on the influence of EUV late-phase flares on communication systems.