At the northeastern edge of the solar disk, a new large active region formed within a few hours and the X-ray flux increased by about 500% and approached the threshold of an M-type flare. This could affect the launch of the Artemis 2 lunar mission in early February.
This is a report by scientists from the Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the Institute of Space Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IKI RAS).
“By the end of the day, strong flares are expected to reach this level, and if the area growth of the sunspot group continues at the same rate, the first X-class flares could occur within the next 24 hours,” the scientists reported on their Telegram channel.
The most notable changes begin in UTC morning. At that time, the area at the northeastern edge of the Sun was largely free of sunspots.
NASA has prepared a series of scenarios for the development of the situation during the expected launch of the Artemis 2 mission. They take into account possible solar radiation storms, an increase in proton flux and the impact on the situation in near-Earth space. This data is needed to evaluate the load on the on-board electronics, communications and radiation protection systems of the Artemis 2 crew, who must go to the Moon aboard the Orion spacecraft.
Previously, experts from the Institute of Space Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences recorded a record increase this century in the flux of solar protons in near-Earth space – up to 37 thousand units, leading to a strong radiation storm. Scientists then warned of risks to astronauts, electronics on board satellites and possible problems in communications and navigation, although there was no danger to residents on Earth.
