On the other hand, it is less than one-tenth of the total energy emitted by the Sun every second. The intense radiation from a solar flare travels to Earth in eight minutes. Long distance radio signals can be disrupted by the resulting change in the Earth's ionosphere. A satellite's orbit around the Earth can be disturbed by the enhanced drag on the satellite from the expanded atmosphere. Satellites' electronic components can be damaged.
Solar flares become more common during sunspot maximum.
The current sunspot cycle is slated to peak in mid-2000, and remain high for at least a year. Although the Feb. 5 solar flare was big and bright, it did not come from a particularly impressive sunspot group. Active region 8858, the site of the flare, covers just 200 millionths of the solar disk. However, its magnetic field is complex, exhibiting strong gradients that make it a likely site for flare activity. Space weather forecasters expect the region to continue developing in the coming days.