The primary reason for the current frequent activity of solar flares threatening Earth is the cyclical changes in solar activity. Solar flares occur approximately every 11 years. During this cycle, the frequency of solar flares increases from weak to strong and then gradually weakens again. Typically, there are 175 X-class flares in one cycle, meaning about 16 occur each year on average. Recently, an X1.6-class flare was released, directly affecting the ionosphere over the United States.
What is a Solar Flare?
A solar flare refers to a phenomenon where intense activity occurs on the surface of the Sun. During a flare, a localized area of the Sun releases a large amount of energy, causing the temperature in that region to rise rapidly. This results in the emission of electromagnetic radiation and an increase in particle radiation, releasing large amounts of rays into space, such as X-rays and gamma rays, and even the electromagnetic spectrum. When a solar flare occurs, specific regions of the solar atmosphere exhibit significantly increased brightness, which then gradually decreases.
No Scientific Basis
There is a claim that solar flares can directly end the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this claim clearly lacks scientific basis. When powerful electromagnetic radiation from solar eruptions reaches Earth, it carries high-energy particles at near-light speed, causing certain impacts on Earth and forming a third wave of impact. If there is a sudden increase in radio broadcast noise, it may indicate the first round of solar flare activity. The second round of impact affects facilities such as aviation and aerospace missions.
Scientific Perspective
Initially, some people believed that there was a connection between certain infectious diseases on Earth and solar flares. For example, after a solar flare occurred in 1921, the Spanish flu virus disappeared. In 2023, after a solar storm, the SARS virus also disappeared. However, such assumptions lack any logical foundation. It is essential to face solar flares scientifically and use technological advancements to increase our understanding of them.
