Extraordinary solar proton event sets 21st-century record video

A radiation storm of the high S4 level has been recorded in near-Earth space, an event not observed during the past two solar cycles, Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences reported on its Telegram channel.

Scientists said the intensity of the solar proton flux reached 37,000 units, marking the highest level recorded in the 21st century. The researchers described the phenomenon as extraordinary, noting that it defies current explanations.

According to observational data, the density of solar protons with energies of 10 megaelectronvolts—the main indicator of energetic particle concentration in near-Earth space—rose sharply and exceeded 1,920 units. This makes the current proton event the most powerful recorded during the 25th solar cycle and the strongest in at least the past decade.

Researchers highlighted that the surge is occurring despite generally low solar activity, calling the increase in high-energy particles anomalous. As a result, the assessed hazard level and the issuance of warnings have been increased by nearly 200 times.

The laboratory stated that the event appears to be the outcome of an exceptionally rare combination of factors. Scientists also noted that the next theoretical level, S5, has never been observed in modern history. For comparison, the highest proton flux values recorded in the 20th century were close to 40,000 units.

Experts stressed that the high-energy particles pose no threat to people on the ground, as Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere effectively block them from reaching the surface.

The sharp rise in the proton flux began on January 19 after a powerful solar flare—the first in 2026 to reach the highest X-class. Researchers emphasised that, given the overall decline in solar activity, the scale of the event remains difficult to explain. A typical solar cycle lasts approximately 12 years.

By Tamilla Hasanova