This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process
and policies.
Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare – as seen in the bright flash on the right – on Aug. 5. 2023. The image shows a subset of extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the extremely hot material in flares and which is colorized in red and orange. Credit: NASA/SDO
× close
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare – as seen in the bright flash on the right – on Aug. 5. 2023. The image shows a subset of extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the extremely hot material in flares and which is colorized in red and orange. Credit: NASA/SDO
The sun emitted a strong solar flare, peaking at 6:21 p.m. EDT on Aug. 5, 2023. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, which watches the sun constantly, captured an image of the event.
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 X1.6 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, the U.S. government's official source for space weather forecasts, watches, warnings, and alerts.