Sun flares causing ‘blackouts’

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Flares on the Sun are disrupting and causing radio communications blackouts in the Gisborne region and elsewhere.

Since the end of last week, a major active sunspot region has appeared on the Sun facing Earth, and has emitted flares up to serious X-class strength.

The radiation thrown towards Earth causes disturbance in the ionosphere, and interferes with shortwave and other radio signal transmission.

Outbursts from sunspot A3182 have continued this morning, with ongoing radio interference. — RH