This phenomenon can create a sudden flash of lighta solar flare.
(Photo: NASA;GSFC;SDO/NASA.)
This solar flare came from the same region of the Sun that caused the auroras.
When solar activity contorts and realigns the sun’s magnetic fields, vast amounts of energy can be driven into space. This phenomenon can create a sudden flash of light—a solar flare. (Photo: NASA;GSFC;SDO/NASA.)
The powerful flare was measured to be an X8.7 whereas the ones that caused beautiful night skies were X1-X2.25.
Solar flares are rated on a scale similar to the Richter scale.
The number designates by what factor the flares are bigger than a 1 of that class.
The Sun erupted with an X8 solar flare on Sept. 10, 2017. This is similarly sized to a recent solar flare in May. This is shown in two wavelengths of extreme ultraviolet light at the same time and each reveals different features. Both are colorized to identify in which wavelength they were observed. The coils of loops after the flare are the magnetic field lines reorganizing themselves after the eruption. (Photo: NASA;GSFC;SDO/NASA.)
So an X8 is eight times more powerful than an X1.
The same sunspot area AR3664, which is bigger than 15 Earths wide, caused both flares.
Scientists measured the last most powerful flare in 2017 originally as X8.2.
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a mid-level solar flare – as seen in the bright flash in the middle –on Dec. 16, 2014 shortly before midnight EST. (Photo Credit: NASA; Goddard; SDO/NASA.)
After reassessing the image, they classed the flare as an X11.88.
The most powerful flare to ever be measured was estimated to be an X45 in 2003.
Solar flares are bursts of energy the Sun emits when its magnetic fields contort themselves.
Prior to May’s activity, the solar maximum was expected to occur by July 2025.
A powerful solar flare that was at least an X8.7 was observed on May 14, 2024.
The Sun erupted with an X8 solar flare on Sept. 10, 2017.
This is similarly sized to a recent solar flare in May.
This is shown in two wavelengths of extreme ultraviolet light at the same time and each reveals different features.
Both are colorized to identify in which wavelength they were observed.
The coils of loops after the flare are the magnetic field lines reorganizing themselves after the eruption.
(Photo: NASA;GSFC;SDO/NASA.)
(Photo Credit: NASA; Goddard; SDO/NASA.)
