NASAs Solar Dynamics Observatory caught this picture of a solar flare– as seen in the bright flash on the right– on March 28, 2024. The image reveals a subset of extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the exceptionally hot product in flares and which is colorized in green. Credit: NASA/SDOThe Sun discharged a strong solar flare, peaking at 4:56 p.m. ET on March 28, 2024. NASAs Solar Dynamics Observatory, which sees the Sun continuously, caught an image of the event.Solar flares are powerful bursts of energy. Flares and solar eruptions can impact radio communications, electric power grids, navigation signals, and present threats to spacecraft and astronauts.This flare is categorized as an X1.1 flare. X-class signifies the most intense flares, while the number provides more information about its strength.This animation of the Solar Dynamics Observatory shows it above the Earth as it faces towards the Sun. SDO is created to help us understand the Suns influence on Earth and Near-Earth space by studying the solar atmosphere on small scales of area and time and in lots of wavelengths at the same time. Credit: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image LabSolar FlaresSolar flares are extreme bursts of radiation originating from the release of magnetic energy in the Suns atmosphere. They are one of the most powerful phenomena in our solar system, efficient in releasing large amounts of energy equivalent to countless 100-megaton hydrogen bombs exploding at once.The energy from a solar flare can affect the Earth in several ways. It can disrupt satellite operations, interaction systems, and even power grids on the ground. Solar flares are likewise accountable for the beautiful auroras, known as the Northern and Southern Lights, that appear in the Earths polar regions.Solar flares are categorized based on their brightness in the X-ray wavelengths. There are five main categories: A, B, C, x, and m, with A being the weakest and X the strongest. Each category has a tenfold boost in energy output. Within each classification, flares are additional categorized from 1 to 9, however this scale is open-ended for especially strong flares. For instance, an X1 flare is 10 times as effective as an M1 flare, while an X2 flare is twice as extreme as an X1 flare.X-class flares can trigger planet-wide radio blackouts and long-lasting radiation storms, impacting the Earths ionosphere and radio communications. M-class flares can cause brief radio blackouts in the Earths polar regions and minor radiation storms. C-class and lower flares are normally too weak to significantly impact Earth.
Flares and solar eruptions can impact radio communications, electric power grids, navigation signals, and position risks to spacecraft and astronauts.This flare is categorized as an X1.1 flare. Solar flares are likewise accountable for the stunning auroras, known as the Northern and Southern Lights, that appear in the Earths polar regions.Solar flares are categorized based on their brightness in the X-ray wavelengths. An X1 flare is 10 times as effective as an M1 flare, while an X2 flare is twice as extreme as an X1 flare.X-class flares can trigger planet-wide radio blackouts and long-lasting radiation storms, impacting the Earths ionosphere and radio interactions.