Milky Way galaxy —After causing the dazzling waves of aurora borealis this weekend, our Sun isn’t done yet: The strongest solar flare of the current solar cycle occurred Tuesday afternoon, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center.
The flare – deemed an X8.7, with the X-class denoting the most intense flares possible – came from the same region that triggered the geomagnetic storm and stunning display of auroras, or Northern Lights,around the world. That storm was the most extreme geomagnetic storm since 2003, the center said.
“A flare is an eruption of energy from the Sun that generally lasts minutes to hours. Flares of this magnitude are not frequent,” the center noted.
Tuesday’s intense flash of ultraviolet light was photographed by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, whichsaidthe flare peaked at 12:51 p.m. ET.
The Sun emitted a strong solar flare on May 14, 2024, peaking at 12:51pm ET. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured an image of the event, which was classified as X8.7. https://t.co/njaYS2IutEpic.twitter.com/oIJn2gmIUF
Solar flares usually take place in active regions of the Sun that include the presence of strong magnetic fields. They can impact radio, power grids and communications. Users of high frequency radio signals may experience temporary or complete loss of signal.
However, due to the Sun’s rotation, the sun spot in question is no longer directing this energy in the Earth’s direction, which will minimize impacts.
Flares can also pose threats to astronauts and spacecraft – though NASA found there was no risk to astronauts aboard the International Space Station last week.
“The Sun’s activity waxes and wanes over an 11-year period known as the solar cycle,” the Solar Dynamics Observatory said on X. “Solar cycle 25 began in December 2019 and is now approaching solar maximum — a period when eruptions like this one become more common.”
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