July 17 (Reuters) - Powerful solar flare activity is forecast for Monday which may interfere with short-wave communications, Russian scientists said after three flares were observed on the sun on Sunday.
The Fedorov Institute of Applied Geophysics in Moscow said class X flares were possible, including proton flares, and short-wave radio conditions were expected to deteriorate.
Proton flares are a storm of solar energetic particles, composed chiefly of proton.
Solar flares happen when the powerful magnetic fields in and around the sun reconnect.
Three solar flares were observed on Sunday, the Fedorov Institute said, with one lasting 14 minutes, accompanied by disruption in radio communication.
Persons:
Fedorov, Lidia Kelly, Stephen Coates
Organizations:
Fedorov Institute, Applied Geophysics, NASA, SpaceX, Thomson
Locations:
Moscow, Melbourne