It’s that time of year again when solar outages can temporarily disrupt satellite signals, leading to the loss of weaker UK TV channels.

This message is for those experiencing this phenomenon for the first time and a helpful reminder for those who have encountered it before.

Solar outages occur twice a year, typically in March and October, around the spring and autumn equinoxes. In the Northern Hemisphere, they happen before the March equinox (February and March) and after the September equinox (September and October).

View a video of the solar outage occurring here

During this period, satellite signal disruptions occur between 10:30 AM and 11:30 AM, lasting up to 20 minutes. There’s no need to worry—your signal will restore itself once the sun moves out of alignment.

Once the Sun moves out of alignment, the signal returns to normal without any permanent impact on service or equipment.

The severity of the disruption depends on factors such as the satellite’s position, the dish size, and the specific location of the receiver.

There is no way to prevent solar outages, but they are predictable and affect all satellite-based communication systems, including TV, internet, and radio. Broadcasters and service providers often inform customers about expected disruptions to avoid confusion.

While inconvenient, solar outages are a natural and well-understood occurrence in satellite communications, requiring only patience from viewers until the brief interference passes.

This is also a great opportunity for some maintenance. Use this time to check if trees or shrubs are casting shadows on your satellite dish, as these obstructions can weaken or block signals.

Additionally, about 12 hours after the solar outage, satellites enter the Earth’s shadow, receiving no solar energy. During this time, they rely on battery power, which may temporarily weaken signal output for a few minutes.

More information on this solar outage can be found here : https://www.satandpcguy.com/uk-tv-astra-satellites/satellite-solar-outage/