Current:Home > StocksNOAA detects another solar flare following sun-produced geomagnetic storm: 'Not done yet' -CapitalTrack
NOAA detects another solar flare following sun-produced geomagnetic storm: 'Not done yet'
View
Date:2025-04-19 12:05:01
The sun emitted another powerful solar flare Tuesday nearly one week after separate flares set in motion a severe solar storm that disrupted some technology and produced some mesmerizing northern lights.
The explosive burst of radiation is the largest solar flare detected since 2017, and is by far the biggest of the sun's 11-year solar cycle, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The eruption occurred following a weekend in which solar flares sent coronal mass ejections hurtling toward Earth that produced the strongest geomagnetic storm in more than two decades.
"Not done yet!" NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center said in a post on social media site X.
Fortunately, our planet appears to out of striking distance of this particular flare, which was produced on a part of the sun rotating away from Earth.
Here's what to know about the solar flare:
Solar storm:Farmers report GPS disruptions amid planting season due to solar storm
Just how powerful is this solar flare?
Considered our solar system's largest explosive events, solar flares occur when magnetic energy associated with sunspots is released, creating intense bursts of radiation.
Solar flares can last mere minutes, or can drag on for hours, depending on their intensity. NASA classifies solar flares based on their strength, with B-class being the smallest and X-class – which is what was detected Tuesday – being the largest.
Each letter represents a ten-fold increase in energy output and includes a scale of 1 to 9 in each class. The exception is the X-class since there are flares that have been recorded exceeding 10 times the power of an X-1.
The flare that was detected Tuesday night was classified as an X-8.7 magnitude – far stronger than one in December – according to NOAA, which initially posted that the flare was an X-8.8 before correctly the rating in a follow-up post.
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, which observes the sun, was able to capture an image of the event, which the agency said peaked at around 12:51 p.m. ET.
Despite X-class rating, solar flare not a threat to Earth
Weaker solar flares won't be noticeable here on Earth, but those with enough energy output to rank as an X-class have the potential to disrupt radio communications, electric power grids and navigation signals. In extreme cases, such powerful flares even pose risks to spacecraft and astronauts, according to NASA.
In the case of the weekend's solar storm, flares erupting on the sun's surface sent coronal mass ejections hurtling toward Earth on Friday to create the powerful event. The geomagnetic storm, which prompted NOAA to issue a watch alert for the first time in 19 years, caused some power grid irregularities and interfered with GPS signals – even farming equipment.
On the bright side, it did also unleash spectacular views of the northern lights in parts of the country where auroras are not often visible.
Tuesday's flare originated on the sun’s western side away from Earth. If the flare produces coronal mass ejections – clouds of plasma and charged particles – it's unlikely to create another geomagnetic storm, NOAA said. However, NOAA did put out a warning that the flare did pose the threat of temporarily disrupting high-frequency radio signals.
Solar flares and other solar activity, such as solar storms, are only expected to become more common by 2025 as the Sun reaches the height of its 11-year cycle, known as the solar maximum.
Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com
veryGood! (818)
Related
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- Carson Daly and Wife Siri Pinter Share Why They Practice “Sleep Divorce”
- Retired Venezuelan general who defied Maduro gets over 21 years in US prison
- Terry Tang named executive editor of the Los Angeles Times after leading newsroom on interim basis
- Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
- Celebrities You Didn't Know Were on Cameo, Including Reality Stars, Athletes, Comedians & More
- Tesla settles lawsuit over man’s death in a crash involving its semi-autonomous driving software
- Katt Williams cuts comedy show short by fight: Couple explains date night turned brawl
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Abortion rights across the US vary by state
Ranking
- The company planning a successor to Concorde makes its first supersonic test
- Russia aborts planned test launch of new heavy-lift space rocket
- What is Eid al-Fitr? What to know about the Muslim holiday at the end of Ramadan
- 2-time All-Star Ja Morant defended himself during pickup game fight, judge says
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- NAIA, small colleges association, approves ban on trans athletes from women's sports
- 12-year-old trapped, killed after truck falls into Colorado river
- Billie Eilish announces details of third album, 'Hit Me Hard and Soft'
Recommendation
Questlove charts 50 years of SNL musical hits (and misses)
Woman claiming God told her to go on shooting spree because of solar eclipse shoots drivers on Florida interstate, police say
Jason Derulo, Jamie Lee Curtis, 'The Office' cast, more celebs share total eclipse 2024 selfies
Massachusetts woman struck in suspected road rage incident dies of injuries
How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
NAIA, governing small colleges, bars transgender athletes from women's sports competitions
Can cats get bird flu? How to protect them and what else to know amid the outbreak
Why Zendaya Couldn't Be Prouder of Boyfriend Tom Holland