NASA captures stunning X-class solar flare image
- An X-class solar flare was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on Tuesday evening.
- The flare peaked at 5:49 p.m. EDT and is significant due to its potential impacts on technology.
- Understanding solar flares is crucial for anticipating their effects on Earth and protecting technology.
On Tuesday evening, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded an intense solar flare. The solar flare, categorized as an X-class flare—the most severe type—peaked at 5:49 p.m. EDT. This phenomenon was described as a massive explosion on the sun that propelled energy, light, and high-speed particles into space. The bright flash observed at the center of the sun’s surface was a result of the immense heat produced by the flare, which was visually represented in a striking teal color image captured by the observatory. Solar flares are significant events that can have various impacts on Earth and its technological infrastructure. NASA points out that the energy emitted from these flares can interfere with radio communications, disrupt electric power grids, and affect navigation signals. Such disruptions pose risks not only to terrestrial systems but also to spacecraft and astronauts operating in space. The high energy particles released can harm electronic components and pose radiation hazards to individuals in space. These solar flares often coincide with coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which are substantial bursts of solar wind and magnetic fields rising above the solar corona or being released into space. CMEs can resemble