A statement issued by the laboratory said: “On Monday morning, December 29, three powerful solar flares of the M category were observed. The first flare lasted from 00:03 Moscow time until 00:23, and reached its peak at 00:13. The second flare occurred between 01:01 and 01:54 Moscow time, and reached its peak at 01:39, and its intensity reached M4.2.. The third flare. It lasted from 02:57 to 03:07 Moscow time, peaking at 03:02 Moscow time.”

The statement also indicated that 3 other C-class flares occurred on the Sun during the past 24 hours as well.

Scientists at the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences had expected an increase in solar flare activity before New Year’s, after observing two large active regions on the left (eastern) edge of the Sun, moving slowly towards the line of sight from Earth.

Solar flares are divided into five categories according to the intensity of the X-rays they emit: A, B, C, M, and

These flares lead to magnetic storms that may cause disruption in energy systems, affect the migration paths of birds and animals, and may also affect the operation of communications and navigation systems on Earth.

Source: TASS