Image: Sun releases strong solar flare
The sun emitted a strong solar flare that peaked at 4:25 p.m. EDT on Oct. 2, 2022. 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 flare. X-class denotes the most intense flares, while the number provides more information about its strength.
More information: To see how such space weather may affect Earth, please visit NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center at spaceweather.gov
Provided by NASA