After NASA’s Parker Probe reached extremely close to the Sun’s corona, the space agency has captured the visuals of a “significant” solar flare. Captured at 11:31 am IST on Friday, the mid-level solar flare was captured by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory that keeps a close watch on the Sun.
NASA
Solar flares are bursts of energy
Powerful bursts of energy, solar flares are emitted by the Sun and can affect Earth. Solar flares have the capability to impact radio communications, electric power grids, navigation signals, and also pose risks to spacecraft and astronauts according to NASA.
The Sun emitted a significant solar flare early this morning, peaking at 1:01 a.m. ET. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured an image of the event, which was classified as M5.5.https://t.co/9RsMR5suI3 pic.twitter.com/zK9mADK47H
— NASA Sun & Space (@NASASun) January 20, 2022
NASA has classified it as a M5.5 class solar flare. Based on its intensity, solar flares can last for mere minutes or for hours. According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, solar flares travel at the speed of light – implying that its effects on the Sun-facing side of Earth’s atmosphere are felt as soon as it bursts out.
Also read: ‘King Of Storms’ In Our Solar System Can Destroy Three Earth-Sized Planets
However, the radiation poses no direct harm to humans on the Earth’s surface. The powerful flares are made out of radio waves, x-rays, and gamma rays. The explosion happens after massive amounts of solar energy stored in the Sun’s magnetic field is suddenly released.
NASA
In December, we received a glimpse of what Sun’s surrounding region looks like after NASA’s Parker Probe brushed past the star. The probe was launched in August 2019 and has spent over 990 days travelling through the solar system since then – observing space around Venus and the Sun.
It reached the Sun’s corona last year – where temperatures are as high as million Celsius.
Also read: NASA Parker Space Probe ‘Touched The Sun’, First-Ever Human Object To Do So
What did you think about this stunning visual of a solar flare? Let us know in the comments below. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com.
References
Solar Flares (Radio Blackouts) | NOAA / NWS Space Weather Prediction Center. (2022). NOAA.
Hatfield, A. M. (2022, January 20). Mid-Level Flare Erupts From Sun – Solar Cycle 25. NASA.
