Massive X-Class Solar Flare
NASA image captured 9 Aug 2011.
On August 9, 2011 at 3:48 a.m. EDT, the sun emitted an Earth-directed X6.9 flare, as measured by the NOAA GOES satellite. These gigantic bursts of radiation cannot pass through Earth's atmosphere to harm humans on the ground, however they can disrupt the atmosphere and disrupt GPS and communications signals. In this case, it appears the flare is strong enough to potentially cause some radio communication blackouts. It also produced increased solar energetic proton radiation -- enough to affect humans in space if they do not protect themselves.
There was also a coronal mass ejection (CME) associated with this flare. CMEs are another solar phenomenon that can send solar particles into space and affect electronic systems in satellites and on Earth. However, this CME is not traveling toward and Earth so no Earth-bound effects are expected.
More information and videos available here.
Credit: NASA/SDO/AIA
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.
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Comments and faves
AbsolutSara, Thomas Rassloff, hawkexpress, Charles Silver, and 50 other people added this photo to their favorites.
RaSeLaSeD - Il Pinguino (22 months ago | reply)
Wow!!
DarkAngelDay (22 months ago | reply)
Wow! Great!
and_illusion (22 months ago | reply)
Dang! Thank God it can't pass through to us!
PhotoSenseDatum (22 months ago | reply)
wow! I`m glad we have an efficient atmosphere.
Great capture!!!!!
♫ Lion ♫ (22 months ago | reply)
wow
contiflex [deleted] (22 months ago | reply)
amazing shot
K.Söebeck (22 months ago | reply)
Wow
colorblindxs2 (22 months ago | reply)
Awesome Shot!!
shutterbroke-back from digital misery for now (22 months ago | reply)
First time I became aware of it. Glad I decided to make you my contact.
M Guadalupe Es (22 months ago | reply)
woooow.....fantastic and beautiful image
Thomas Holsinger (22 months ago | reply)
It truly is amazing the things that go on in outer space. So close to home and the majority of us are totally oblivious! I love it!
Beautiful picture!
ezook (22 months ago | reply)
I lost my connection (major outage in my neighborhood) this morning about the same time, I wonder if this is why!
deadheading (22 months ago | reply)
Astounding!
+1
Osman Sheikh (22 months ago | reply)
Outstanding
Pete Tillman (21 months ago | reply)
Spectacular image! Added to
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_flare
Thanks for posting these!
sgiovd (15 months ago | reply)
很美....................................................................................................