Solar active region number 3514 has become the source of one of the most intense solar flares observed in the current 25th solar cycle. This phenomenon, occurring on December 14 at 17:02 UTC, has been classified as a powerful X2.8 class solar flare. This classification indicates that it was one of the strongest flares in recent years, comparable to those observed in September 2017.

Solar flares are powerful bursts of energy on the Sun's surface. The X class, attributed to the observed flare, signifies the most intense events of this type. The number 2.8 further specifies the flare's strength within this category. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, which continuously monitors the Sun, recorded this phenomenon, revealing the impressive energy released during the flare.

This event caused significant disruptions in shortwave radio communication, particularly in America. Radio amateurs reported signal loss on all frequencies below 30 MHz for over 30 minutes after the flare. The strength of this event was significant enough to affect communication systems across a substantial part of the world, as confirmed by a U.S. Air Force report, indicating the occurrence of a strong Type II radio burst shortly after the explosion.

Alongside the solar flare, sunspot 3514 also caused a coronal mass ejection (CME). This phenomenon involves the expulsion of large amounts of plasma and magnetic fields into space. Estimates suggest that the speed of this CME may have exceeded 2100 km/s. SOHO observations confirmed the presence of a CME with an uneven structure, suggesting that its components may be heading towards Earth, increasing the likelihood of a "glancing blow" to our planet around December 17.

Experts warn that the arrival of this CME may trigger weak geomagnetic storms of class G1 on December 15-16, escalating to moderate G2 storms, and even strong G3 storms on December 17. Such geomagnetic storms can impact satellite operations, navigation systems, and power grids on Earth. Additionally, in regions at higher latitudes, there is a chance of observing increased aurora activity.