On February 9, 2024, the Sun emitted a powerful X-class flare, reaching peak intensity at 13:14 UTC. Classified as the X3.3 flare, it was one of the most intense flares observed recently, highlighting the dynamic and unpredictable nature of our nearest star.
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, which constantly monitors the Sun, captured this phenomenon in an image. Solar flares, which are powerful bursts of energy, can affect radio communications, power grids, navigation signals and pose a threat to astronauts and satellites.
NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center said the event was rated R3 (Strong) on the solar event scale. Even though the solar active region from which the flare was emitted rotated beyond the southwestern edge of the solar disk, the flare was strong enough that the GOES-16 satellite recorded it as an X3.3 flare. These types of X-class flares are considered the most intense and can lead to planetary radio interference and long-lasting radiation storms.
Both NASA and NOAA monitor the Sun and our space environment with fleets of spacecraft that study everything from solar activity to the solar atmosphere and the particles and magnetic fields in space surrounding Earth. These observations are essential for predicting space weather and minimizing the impact of solar flares on technology and life on Earth.
X-class solar flares like the one on February 9 remind us of the enormous power of our star and the potential impact it could have on our everyday technology and the safety of astronauts in space. Understanding and predicting these phenomena is crucial to protecting our advanced technological infrastructure and continuing space exploration.
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