Sun Releases Largest Flare of this Solar Cycle

On May 14, 2024, the Sun emitted a strong solar flare. This solar flare is the largest of Solar Cycle 25 and is classified as an X8.7 flare. X-class denotes the most intense flares, while the number provides more information about its strength.
A solar flare is an intense burst of radiation, or light, on the Sun. Flares are our solar system’s most powerful explosive events. Light only takes about 8 minutes to travel from the Sun to Earth, so that’s how long it would take the energy from a flare to reach our planet. Stronger solar flares - those rated class M5 or above - can have impacts on technology that depends on Earth’s ionosphere (our electrically charged upper atmosphere), like high-frequency radio used for navigation and GPS.
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) captured these images of the flare, which peaked at 12:51 p.m. ET on May 14. The X8.7 flare appears on the lower right edge of the Sun. (A small eruption appears afterward in the upper left.) SDO sees the Sun in more than 10 distinct wavelengths of light, showing solar material at different temperatures. Different wavelengths are shown in this video to highlight different features of the flare.
Music credit: “Ethereal Mirrorscape” from the album Astral Harmonics written and produced by Lars Leonhard
Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Scientific Visualization Studio
Scott Wiessinger (MORI Associates): Producer
Abbey Interrante (ADNET Systems, Inc.): Writer
Tom Bridgman (Global Science and Technology, Inc.): Visualizer
This video can be freely shared and downloaded at svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14592. While the video in its entirety can be shared without permission, the music and some individual imagery may have been obtained through permission and may not be excised or remixed in other products. Specific details on such imagery may be found here: svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14592. For more information on NASA’s media guidelines, visit nasa.gov/multimedia/guidelines.
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[@nickdiamond7595]

Good thing it wasn't pointed at us.

[@drufreeman5906]

But don’t you wish it was? I know I do.

[@Theo-de-Koning]

We where very lucky. Otherwise it would have become very problematic.

[@nickdiamond7595]

@@Theo-de-Koning another Carrington Event that could've wiped out much of our technology.

[@momohuihi6079]

Beautiful, thanks for sharing

[@diracio]

Awesome, many thanks!

[@MrZygy3]

Informative 🎉

[@MaxCupertino-gf5ht]

X8.3 my gosh.
Satélites must be in danger. I am worried for astronauts

[@JonnoPlays]

I just have one question 🙋
Do I need to wear extra sunscreen? 🤔

[@Feefa99]

Only sometimes

[@Heterogeneity]

Extra sunscreen? As opposed to... none? This flare wasn't pointed our direction so we dodged another huge electromagnetic bombardment this time.

[@Destroyer4700]

At least it wasnt pointed at us

[@Theo-de-Koning]

We where very lucky. Otherwise it would have become very problematic.

[@paulposichon1311]

More! 😇

[@steveschunk5702]

Can flares be sympathetic AND antipodal?

[@scottflick5758]

Love that loitering dark matter mass @ 3664, sending m & x flares with strobe light regularity.

[@JamesRuga]

Beautifully deadly!

[@SarathrsDevonianCastCelestial]

We have life Energy have Life, that was Reality connection

[@puterman7642]

We need to replace STEREO B and upgrade STEREO A. Maybe before we build Moon Trains?!?

[@SolaceEasy]

X?

[@tangledwires]

x8.7

[@MaxMakaan]

Why is observing from other side? This observation is from space, not from Earth?

[@twonumber22]

It's in a geosynchronous orbit of Earth.

[@Colacolaman]

Too late i eidnt see it :(

[@Rmm1722]

Wow scary endeed 😅

[@NicholasNerios]

Scary

[@ronwade2206]

Pagans, 😊

[@skyland.magazine]

Whoa!