Study sheds new light on potential impact of late-phase solar flares on Earth

It is widely known that the main phase of a solar flare can cause disruption to GPS signals and trigger radio blackouts across the globe. Picture: Nasa/SDO

Solar flares in their later stages have a greater potential to disrupt Earth’s communication systems than previously thought, new research suggests.

It is widely known that the main phase of a solar flare, a sudden event on the Sun that releases a burst of energy, can cause disruption to GPS signals and trigger radio blackouts across the globe.