Strong Solar Flare Erupts from Sun | NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory

Strong Solar Flare Erupts from Sun | NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory

The Sun emitted a strong solar flare (left side of image), peaking at 4:55 p.m. EST, on Dec. 31, 2023. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) that watches the Sun constantly, captured an image of the event.

This close up image of the Sun is colorized in a mix of yellow, orange, brown and black that showcases the dynamic beauty of the Sun. The X5.0 flare appears as a bright white flash on the left side of the image.

This image shows a subset of extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the extremely hot material in flares that is colorized in yellow and orange.

Solar flares are powerful bursts of energy. Flares and solar eruptions can impact radio communications, electric power grids, navigation signals, and pose risks to spacecraft and astronauts.

This flare is classified as an X5.0 flare. X-class denotes the most intense flares, while the number provides more information about its strength.

To see how such space weather may affect Earth, please visit NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center https://spaceweather.gov/, the U.S. government’s official source for space weather forecasts, watches, warnings, and alerts. 

NASA works as a research arm of the nation’s space weather effort. NASA observes the Sun and our space environment constantly with a fleet of spacecraft that study everything from the Sun’s activity to the solar atmosphere, and to the particles and magnetic fields in the space surrounding Earth.

Learn more about solar flares:

https://blogs.nasa.gov/solarcycle25/2022/06/10/solar-flares-faqs/

Image Credit: NASA/SDO

Release Date: Dec. 31, 2023

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