NASAs Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare– as seen in the intense flash in the upper left portion of this image– on April 16, 2022. NASA works as a research study arm of the nations space weather effort. NASA frequently monitors the Sun and our area environment with a network of spacecraft that investigate whatever from the Suns activity to the solar atmosphere, as well as the particles and magnetic fields in the space surrounding Earth.
On April 16, 2022, NASAs Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded a solar flare– as seen in the bright flash on the left side of this image. Credit: NASA
The Sun produced a significant solar flare on April 16, 2022, peaking at 11:34 p.m. EST. NASAs Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), which watches the Sun continuously, caught an image of the occasion.
Solar flares are powerful bursts of energy. Flares and solar eruptions can affect radio communications, electrical power grids, and navigation signals, and pose threats to spacecraft and astronauts.
NASAs Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded this picture of a solar flare– as seen in the bright flash in the upper left part of this image– on April 16, 2022. The image shows a subset of severe ultraviolet light that highlights the very hot material in flares, and which is colorized in SDO channel color AIA 304. Credit: NASA
This flare is categorized as an X-Class flare. X-class denotes the most extreme flares, while the number provides more details about its strength. More information on how flares are classified can be found here.
To see how space weather may affect Earth, please see NOAAs Space Weather Prediction Center, the U.S. governments main source for space weather report, watches, warnings, and signals. NASA works as a research arm of the nations space weather effort. NASA frequently monitors the Sun and our area environment with a network of spacecraft that examine everything from the Suns activity to the solar environment, along with the particles and electromagnetic fields in the area surrounding Earth.
By NASA
April 20, 2022