NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory reported that on January 6, an extreme intensity flare occurred on the Sun. The radiation flux hit the entire part of the Earth illuminated by the Sun, which affected the quality of high-frequency radio communications. No coronal mass ejection was observed this time, but the intensity of light and radiation in other ranges exceeded previous ones in the current cycle of solar activity.

Now the Sun is in the first half of the 25-cycle of activity, the peak of which has not yet been passed. Peak values are expected by mid-2024 or early 2025. But even now flashes go into the class of extreme in strength. The flare registered yesterday in the left side of the Sun was classified as X1.2. The classification has five categories from weak to extreme events - A, B, C, M and X - and ten gradations in each class. The X1.2 class flare registered yesterday is extreme, but is at the bottom of the scale within its class.

During the observation of the Sun, the most intense flare was observed in 2003. Its index went far beyond the accepted classification and reached the value of X28. During this event, several states in the United States had a complete power outage and problems with radio communications.

At the same time, the greatest danger in such situations threatens the astronauts in orbit and satellites. Therefore, today a lot of attention is paid to the study of the Sun and space weather. Humanity intends to go beyond the orbit of the Moon, where the Earth's magnetic field will no longer protect it from solar radiation. Without a clear understanding of the situation in space, this will be a dangerous exercise.