NASA's Observatory captured an intense solar flare of X2.5 classification on February 19, 2024
Solar flares are rare and occur around 10 times each year with X class being seen only a few times per year
The same sunspot also launched an X1.7 class flare only hours later on February 19, 2024
On February 19, 2024, NASA's Observatory captured an intense solar flare of X2.5 classification. This is the utmost intensity among flares and indicates that the accompanying numerical value offers additional insights into its strength.
The same sunspot also launched an X1.7 class flare only hours later on February 19, 2024, which caused radio blackouts over Western US and much of Pacific Ocean. The solar flare was spat out by a sunspot named AR3590, which has a volatile "beta-gamma-delta" magnetic field that makes it primed for X-class solar flares.
Solar flares are rare and occur around 10 times each year with X class being seen only a few times per year. If a similar event were to occur today, it could have far-reaching consequences due to our reliance on technology such as disrupting telegraph systems around the world or impacting space-based systems like satellites.
On February 16, 2024 NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured an image of a strong solar flare that peaked at 1:53 a.m. EST on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. This flare is classified as an X-class and denotes the most intense flares while the number provides more information about its strength.
Solar flares are powerful bursts of energy that can impact radio communications and electric power grids.
A powerful X-class solar flare hit Earth yesterday
The same sunspot also launched an X1.7 class flare only hours later
Solar flares are rare and occur around 10 times each year with X class being seen only a few times per year
If a similar event were to occur today it could have far-reaching consequences due to our reliance on technology such as disrupting telegraph systems around the world or impacting space-based systems like satellites
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(80%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that the solar flare caused radio blackouts over the U.S West Coast and Pacific Ocean but fails to mention that these regions are not affected by this type of radiation as they are located on the opposite side of Earth from where the sun was positioned during this event.
The article states that a powerful solar flare hit Earth yesterday, causing radio blackouts across the U.S West Coast and Pacific Ocean. However, it fails to mention that these regions are not affected by this type of radiation as they are located on the opposite side of Earth from where the sun was positioned during this event.
The article claims that X-class solar flares can cause radio blackouts over the U.S West Coast and Pacific Ocean, but fails to mention that these regions are not affected by this type of radiation as they are located on the opposite side of Earth from where the sun was positioned during this event.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains an appeal to authority by citing the expertise of NASA and space weather physicist Tamitha Skov. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing the radio blackouts caused by the solar flare as a 'serious' issue that can have far-reaching consequences if it were to occur again in the near future.
NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory / SDO "X1.9-flare now! Region 3590 fires a big flare at an R3-level #RadioBlackout over the Western Pacific, especially Western USA & Canada, New Zealand, Eastern Australia & Indonesia (colored regions in map). Although short-lived, expect more activity from this region!" space weather physicist Tamitha Skov posted to X on Wednesday.
The same sunspot flung out an X1.7-class flare only a few hours later, Skov said in another post.
Bias
(85%)
The article is biased towards the topic of solar flares and their potential impact on Earth. The author uses sensational language such as 'radio blackouts' to create a sense of urgency and danger. They also use quotes from experts in the field to provide credibility but do not present any counter-arguments or alternative perspectives.
If a similar event were to occur today it could have far-reaching consequences due to our reliance on technology.
Solar flares can cause radio blackouts on Earth, primarily in the 3 to 30 MHz band, due to the flare's high-energy photons ionize the gases in the upper atmosphere, particularly in the ionosphere.
The next solar maximum is due to occur between now and the start of 2026, so we are due to experience more frequent and more intense solar weather.
The solar flare was spat out by a sunspot named AR3590, which has a volatile "beta-gamma-delta" magnetic field that makes it primed for X-class solar flares.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Jess Thomson has a conflict of interest on the topic of solar flares and radio blackouts as she is friends with Tamitha Skov who is mentioned in the article. Additionally, Martin Connors who is also mentioned in the article works at Athabasca University which could potentially have an affiliation with NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory.
Jess Thomson mentions her friend Tamitha Skov and quotes from her work
Martin Connors, a professor of space science and physics at Canada’s Athabasca University is mentioned in the article
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of solar flares and radio blackouts as they are affiliated with NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. The article also mentions Tamitha Skov who is a space weather physicist and an expert in this field.
NASA's Observatory captured an intense solar flare on 19 February 2024
The same sunspot also launched an X1.7 class flare only hours later
Solar flares are rare and occur around 10 times each year with X class being seen only a few times per year
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The Weather Channel has a conflict of interest on the topic of solar flares as they are owned by NASA. The article reports on an intense solar flare captured by NASA's observatory and classifies it as X2.5 which is the utmost intensity.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The Weather Channel has a conflict of interest on the topic of solar flares as they are owned by NASA. The article mentions that NASA's observatory captured an intense solar flare and classifies it as X2.5 which is the utmost intensity.
The Sun emitted a strong solar flare, peaking at 1:53 a.m. EST on Friday, Feb 16, 2024.
Solar flares are powerful bursts of energy that can impact radio communications and electric power grids.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(0%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that solar flares are powerful bursts of energy which can impact radio communications and electric power grids but fails to mention their potential positive effects on these systems such as increased ionization density for communication signals or enhanced performance of electrical devices. Secondly, the article states that this flare is classified as an X2.5 flare without providing any context about what constitutes a lower class flare and why it matters in terms of impact on Earth's infrastructure and space travel.
The author claims solar flares are powerful bursts of energy but fails to mention their potential positive effects.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains an appeal to authority by stating that NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured the image of the solar flare. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing how solar flares can impact various systems and pose risks to spacecraft and astronauts.
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, which watches the Sun constantly,
Bias
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
SVS has a conflict of interest on the topic of solar flares as they are owned by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory and report on X-class flares.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of solar flares as they are reporting for NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. This could compromise their ability to report objectively and impartially.
