Solar Flares

The solar flares spat out by a sunspot, AR3590, is one of the most volatile “beta-gamma-delta” magnetic fields to hit Earth, causing radio and cellphone outages and problems throughout the US.

Solar flares always hit Earth, and it’s usually no big deal. However, the two flares that hit Earth Wednesday were recorded as X1.9-class.

The major cellphone outages, including calls, GPS service, and texting issues, started to appear around 3:30 a.m.

All service providers and their subsidiaries affected included;

AT&T,

Verizon,

T-Mobile,

Cricket

Boost, and others.

It is suggested that to protect electronics from solar flares, people use surge protectors and shielded containers.

Officials recommend cellphone users who are experiencing problems shut down their phones and wait approximately 30 seconds or up to a minute before turning the phone back on.

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION - SPACE WEATHER PREDICTION CENTER

According to space weather information provided by the NOAA, the sun is building energy, light, and high-speed particles as part of the 11-year cycle. Another intense burst is possible on Feb. 25.