Solar Superflare in November: How Radiation Increased 10 Times at Flight Altitudes.

According to ТСН: In November, a significant increase in radiation levels above the Earth was recorded – the highest levels in nearly two decades. This occurred due to a powerful solar flare on November 11, associated with the active sunspot AR4274, which emitted a flow of high-speed particles towards our planet.

Researchers report that the X5.1 class flare was the most intense of 2025 and was the only event among nearly twenty similar occurrences that was accompanied by accelerated protons. After detecting increased radiation levels by ground sensors, researchers launched balloons into the stratosphere to observe changes in the atmosphere.

Impact on Aviation Navigation

Studies have shown that at an altitude of about 12 km, where commercial flights operate, radiation levels temporarily increased tenfold compared to natural background levels. As noted by space weather researcher Benjamin Cleaver from the University of Surrey, this level could pose a danger to pregnant women during long flights exceeding 12 hours. Although the event lasted 15 hours, critically high levels were recorded only in the first two hours.

Such radiation spikes are called ground-level events (GLE) and occur rarely: only 77 cases have been recorded since the 1940s. High-speed protons reach the atmosphere in a matter of minutes, causing a cascade of secondary particles that lead to a sharp increase in radiation background. Scientists are still unable to precisely predict which flare could lead to a GLE.

Possibility of Larger Flares

While the November GLE was moderate compared to past records, the threats remain substantial. The strongest registered GLE occurred in 1956 with a level approximately 60 times higher. Studies suggest that the Sun may generate even more powerful flares, and radioisotope analysis of tree rings indicates possible events thousands of times more intense than the one in November.

Radiation bursts can complicate avionics operations. For example, two weeks before the event, a JetBlue Airbus airplane flying over Florida experienced malfunctions that caused the aircraft to suddenly lose altitude, resulting in injuries to passengers. Researchers believe that similar incidents could recur if energetic particles cause equipment failures. Experts recommend that airlines install radiation sensors on board.

“Pilots in the cockpit may simultaneously receive various alerts. They may have to turn off and reset different equipment settings. In the worst-case scenario, they will have to manually control the aircraft. If you are in the air and can still communicate with air traffic, you can descend to a lower altitude or change your latitude. But there is a chance that pilots will be unable to communicate via radio, and they will have to take other measures to mitigate the consequences,” Cleaver noted.

Scientists have previously reported potential consequences if the Sun's brightness were to decrease by 1% per year and by 5% over 20 years. While these changes may seem insignificant, researchers warn that in the real world, this could be fatal for humanity.

This situation underscores the importance of monitoring solar activity, as any significant spikes can affect not only the near-Earth space but also the everyday lives of people, including air travel. Given the frequency of technological failures, the significance of scientific research in this field is becoming increasingly obvious.