An Egyptian expert has issued a stark warning about powerful solar flares expected to hit Earth on Friday, cautioning that their effects could impact everything from satellites and wireless communications to human health and mood.
Dr. Abbas Sharaky, professor of geology and water resources at Cairo University, explained that solar activity has intensified during the ongoing 25th solar cycle, which began in 2019 and spans 11 years. According to Al Arabiya Net, this cycle is approaching its peak, expected between mid-2024 and 2025.
Solar flares, which are measured on a five-tier scale — A, B, C, M, and X — are increasing in frequency and strength. The flares follow a logarithmic scale similar to that used for earthquakes, with each level ten times stronger than the previous. An “X” class flare, the highest, is said to be as powerful as one billion hydrogen bombs.
On Tuesday at 8 p.m. Cairo time, a massive “X” class flare erupted on the sun’s surface. This was followed on Wednesday by four more abnormal flares, including the strongest recorded this year—an “X2.7” flare — alongside three “M” class events.
These flares emit Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) — massive bursts of solar plasma—that travel towards Earth at speeds of around 1,000 km/s, reaching our planet within one to several days.
Given the Sun–Earth distance of 150 million kilometers, emissions from earlier this week are expected to arrive on Friday, potentially increasing temperatures to 45°C on Saturday, with lingering effects through Sunday.
- Dr. Sharaky highlighted several risks from these solar events, including:
- Disruption of satellites and potential satellite failures.
- Malfunction of wireless communication systems and GPS navigation in aircraft and ships.
- Damage to sensitive electronic equipment, including computers, power grids, servers, and medical devices.
- Interference with internet infrastructure, possibly leading to outages.In addition to technological threats, solar flares may have adverse effects on human health, particularly in terms of mood swings, anxiety, and hormonal imbalances.
The expert emphasized the need for heightened awareness and preparedness as solar activity intensifies in the months ahead.
