News Summary

• 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.Credit: NOAA Space Weather Prediction CenterMore details were provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center:An X5.0 flare (R3 Strong Radio Blackout) from NOAA/SWPC Region 3536 occurred at 31/2155 UTC..
• By NASA January 2, 2024NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare – as seen in the bright flash on the far left – on December 31, 2023..
• NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, which watches the Sun constantly, captured an image of the event.Solar flares are powerful bursts of energy..
• It is also the largest flare to be observed since September 10, 2017 when an X8.2 flare occurred..
• Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/Mary Pat Hrybyk-KeithSolar flares are sudden and intense bursts of radiation emanating from the Sun’s surface, often near its sunspots..