Our sun simply had a medium-sized energy burp.NASAs Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) caught a mid-level solar flare on Wednesday (Jan. 20) with a peak at 1:01 a.m. EST (0601 GMT). You can see the flash on the limb, or edge, of the sun, thanks to SDOs effective imaging.Because the flare was on the suns limb, it likely wasnt pointed directly towards Earth. The flare is classified as medium or M5.5 class, effective enough to possibly cause radio blackouts in polar regions if the flare were to strike our planet square-on. Related: Sun outburst goes cannibal as fast new blob surpasses a slower oneNASAs Solar Dynamics Observatory identified a solar flare on Jan. 20, 2022. (Image credit: NASA/SDO) SDO and several other missions keep an eye on area weather condition, meaning activity from the sun. Flares are frequently accompanied by a coronal mass ejection of charged particles that can generate auroras on Earth, however the Space Weather Prediction Center from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration doesnt yet anticipated any significant solar activity on Earth.The sun has an 11-year cycle of solar activity, and is currently in what astronomers call Solar Cycle 25. (That number describes the cycles that have been closely tracked by researchers.) At the peak of solar cycles, the sun has a number of sunspots on its surface, which represent concentrations of energy. As magnetic lines tangle in the sunspots, they can “snap” and generate bursts of energy such as flares.Solar Cycle 25s peak is a little difficult to forecast, but in 2020 NASA recommended we might see a peak of sunspots, solar flares and coronal mass ejections around 2025. However NASA and partner agencies do watch the sun to secure infrastructure (such as power lines) and astronauts on space objectives.” There is no bad weather condition, just bad preparation,” Jake Bleacher, chief researcher for NASAs Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, stated in the 2020 firm release. “Space weather is what it is– our job is to prepare.” Follow Elizabeth Howell on Twitter @howellspace. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook..
