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Late-Phase Solar Flares May Pose Greater Risks to Earth’s Communication Systems. Recent research reveals that the later stages of solar flares could be more disruptive to Earth's communication systems than previously thought, particularly for satellites, Sky News reports. The study suggests that extreme ultraviolet (EUV) emissions during the late phase of solar flares may deliver more energy over time, potentially causing prolonged disturbances in the ionosphere, a critical part of the atmosphere for satellite communication. The ionosphere, which expands and contracts based on solar energy absorption, could be significantly affected by these late-phase emissions, leading to disruptions in communication and navigation systems. Dr. Susanna Bekker from Queen's University Belfast emphasized that studying solar flares' impact on the ionosphere is crucial due to potential technological failures during powerful solar events. The study found that powerful solar flares' late-phase emissions could negatively impact GPS accuracy and radio communication stability, posing risks to daily technologies. While early stages of solar flares are well-studied, the research highlights that a large proportion of flares have an EUV late phase, whose influence on Earth’s systems is still being explored. Researchers analyzed data from previous X-class flares, the most powerful type, to understand how the ionosphere reacts to EUV late-phase emissions, revealing potential risks. The significant findings, which could reshape our understanding of solar flare impacts on Earth's atmosphere, are detailed in the Astrophysical Journal. The study underscores the need for further research and highlights the importance of closely monitoring solar flare activity to protect and maintain the stability of global communication networks.
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