Powerful solar flare detected, potential for auroras

WASHINGTON: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) captured images of a powerful solar flare that erupted on Thursday.

The flare was classified as an X9.0, the strongest solar flare recorded since 2017. It could have a huge impact on Earth in the coming days.

Read more: Sun emits two strong solar flare: NASA

According to the NASA, solar flares are powerful blasts of energy that can “disrupt radio communications, electric power grids, navigation signals” and even pose risks to “spacecraft and astronauts”.

The X9.0 flare was observed pointed directly towards the Earth, which has now raised concerns about potential disruptions and even chances of auroras.

As per the SDO’s image, the surface of the sun can be seen – fiery hot molten ball with a bright flash in the middle. This is where the solar flare erupted.

The NASA explained the bright flash of light showing “subsets of extreme ultraviolet lights” that shows “extremely hot material in flares” which were colourised “in red and gold”.

Meanwhile, the United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Centre (SWPC) is closely monitoring the solar flare’s aftereffects. The SWPC shared a report which stated that the flare was associated with a “coronal mass ejection (CME)” that can trigger strong auroras on our planet.

The SWPC also warned of strong potential impacts of the flare on Earth, which could include temporary disruptions to our GPS, power supply lines and even communication channels.

Most importantly, a solar flare of such magnitude can lead to the display of perhaps nature’s most dazzling display: aurora borealis or the Northern Lights.

Auroras are caused by the solar wind carrying extremely charged particles from the CMEs towards the planet’s magnetosphere. Here, the charged particles collide with the oxygen and nitrogen atoms in the thin atmosphere of our planet.

As the charged particles lose their energy in the collision, they slowly glow in different colours. This is what creates the dazzling, mystifying display of an aurora.

Read more: Chasing celestial magic: Where to witness the northern lights?

The sun is currently going through a period of intense activity, where solar flares are expected as common occurrence. The NASA and other relevant authorities will continue to monitor the situation and update accordingly.