Solar Flare Suspends Parts of Radio Communications in Korea and blocks Deutsche Welle

[Meatpie]

The Sun emitted a strong flare on Tuesday at around 10:50 a.m. Korea time disrupting some radio communications here in Korea.

According to the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, a powerful solar flare from "Sunspot 1-1-5-8" interfered with radio waves in shortwave receivers.

The institute predicts a massive burst of solar wind and radiation to hit the Earth's magnetic field some time between Wednesday and Thursday which could cause further damage to electrical systems and black out additional radio communications here.
A solar flare is an explosion on the Sun that happens when energy stored in twisted magnetic fields is suddenly released.

Since last year solar flares have been increasing in number with one of the biggest expected in 2013.

http://www.arirang.co.kr/News/News_View.asp?nseq=112659&code=Ne2&category=2

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41587712/ns/technology_and_science-space/

Deutsche Welle radio signals are also lost over large parts of Europe, including in Bulgaria.

Listeners in Sofia can't get the signal, problem started on Valentine's Day.

 

[JValdez]

maybe that's why the 'ole shortwave is crackling so much . . . hehe!

 

[Beuen]

A green solar flare, awesome!

 

[jamco63]

Solar flares are amazing...spoke almost half way around the world on an apmlified CB base radio during a solar storm.