Third Update: May 14, 9 a.m. EDT
The sun emitted a third significant solar flare in under 24 hours, peaking at 9:11 p.m. EDT on May 13, 2013. This flare is classified as an X3.2 flare. This is the strongest X-class flare of 2013 so far, surpassing in strength the two X-class flares that occurred earlier in the 24-hour period.
The flare was also associated with a coronal mass ejection, or CME. The CME began at 9:30 p.m. EDT and was not Earth-directed. Experimental NASA research models show that the CME left the sun at approximately 1,400 miles per second, which is particularly fast for a CME. The models suggest that it will catch up to the two CMEs associated with the earlier flares. The merged cloud of solar material will pass by the Spitzer spacecraft and may give a glancing blow to the STEREO-B and Epoxi spacecraft. Their mission operators have been notified. If warranted, operators can put spacecraft into safe mode to protect the instruments from solar material.
The sun emitted a third significant solar flare in under 24 hours, peaking at 9:11 p.m. EDT on May 13, 2013. This flare is classified as an X3.2 flare. This is the strongest X-class flare of 2013 so far, surpassing in strength the two X-class flares that occurred earlier in the 24-hour period.
The flare was also associated with a coronal mass ejection, or CME. The CME began at 9:30 p.m. EDT and was not Earth-directed. Experimental NASA research models show that the CME left the sun at approximately 1,400 miles per second, which is particularly fast for a CME. The models suggest that it will catch up to the two CMEs associated with the earlier flares. The merged cloud of solar material will pass by the Spitzer spacecraft and may give a glancing blow to the STEREO-B and Epoxi spacecraft. Their mission operators have been notified. If warranted, operators can put spacecraft into safe mode to protect the instruments from solar material.
These pictures from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory show the three
X-class flares that the sun emitted in under 24 hours on May 12-13,
2013. The images show light with a wavelength of 131 angstroms, which is
particularly good for showing solar flares and is typically colorized
in teal. Credit: NASA/SDO.
› Larger image
- › Unlabeled image
Four images from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory of an X3.2-class
flare from late at night on May 13, 2013. Starting in the upper left
and going clockwise, the images show light in the 304-, 335-, 193- and
131-angstrom wavelengths. By looking at the sun in different
wavelengths, scientists can view solar material at different
temperatures, and thus learn more about what causes flares.
Credit: NASA/SDO. › Larger image
- › Unlabeled image
Second Update: May 13, 3:30 p.m. EDT
The X2.8-class flare was also associated with a coronal mass ejection,
or CME, another solar phenomenon that can send billions of tons of solar
particles into space, which can potentially affect electronic systems
in satellites and on the ground. The CME was not Earth-directed, but
could pass NASA's STEREO-B, Messenger and Spitzer spacecraft. Their
mission operators have been notified. Experimental NASA research models
show that the CME left the sun at 1,200 miles per second beginning at
12:18 p.m. EDT. If warranted, operators can put spacecraft into safe
mode to protect the instruments from solar material.
On May 12-13, 2013, the sun erupted with an X1.7-class and an X2.8-class
flare, as well as two coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, off the upper
left side of the sun. Solar material also danced and blew off the sun
in what’s called a prominence eruption on the lower right side of the
sun. This movie compiles imagery of this activity from NASA's Solar
Dynamics Observatory and from NASA and the European Space Agency's Solar
and Heliospheric Observatory. Credit: NASA/SDO/ESA/SOHO. Music: "Long Range Cruise" by Lars Leonhard, courtesy of the artist and BineMusic. › Download video in HD formats
First Update: May 13, 1:30 p.m. EDT
On May 13, 2013, the sun emitted an X2.8-class flare, peaking at 12:05 p.m. EDT. This is the the strongest X-class flare of 2013 so far, surpassing in strength the X1.7-class flare that occurred 14 hours earlier. It is the 16th X-class flare of the current solar cycle and the third-largest flare of that cycle. The second-strongest was an X5.4 event on March 7, 2012. The strongest was an X6.9 on Aug. 9, 2011.
On May 13, 2013, the sun emitted an X2.8-class flare, peaking at 12:05 p.m. EDT. This is the the strongest X-class flare of 2013 so far, surpassing in strength the X1.7-class flare that occurred 14 hours earlier. It is the 16th X-class flare of the current solar cycle and the third-largest flare of that cycle. The second-strongest was an X5.4 event on March 7, 2012. The strongest was an X6.9 on Aug. 9, 2011.
On May 13, 2013, an X2.8-class flare erupted from the sun -- the
strongest flare of 2013 to date. This image of the flare, shown in the
upper left corner, was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory in
light of 131 angstroms, a wavelength which is particularly good for
capturing the intense heat of a solar flare and which is typically
colorized in teal. Credit: NASA/SDO.
› Larger image
Original Story: May 13
On May 12, 2013, the sun emitted a significant solar flare, peaking at 10 p.m. EDT. This flare is classified as an X1.7, making it the first X-class flare of 2013. The flare was also associated with another solar phenomenon, called a coronal mass ejection (CME) that can send solar material out into space. This CME was not Earth-directed.
The sun erupted with an X1.7-class solar flare on May 12, 2013. This is a
blend of two images of the flare from NASA's Solar Dynamics
Observatory: One image shows light in the 171-angstrom wavelength, the
other in 131 angstroms.
Credit: NASA/SDO/AIA. › Larger image
"X-class" denotes the most intense flares, while the number provides
more information about its strength. An X2 is twice as intense as an X1,
an X3 is three times as intense, etc.
This flare erupted from an active region just out of sight over the left side of the sun, a region that will soon rotate into view. This region has produced two smaller M-class flares as well.
This flare erupted from an active region just out of sight over the left side of the sun, a region that will soon rotate into view. This region has produced two smaller M-class flares as well.
The May 12 flare was also associated with a coronal mass ejection,
another solar phenomenon that can send billions of tons of solar
particles into space, which can affect electronic systems in satellites
and on the ground. Experimental NASA research models show that the CME
left the sun at 745 miles per second and is not Earth-directed, however
its flank may pass by the STEREO-B and Spitzer spacecraft, and their
mission operators have been notified. If warranted, operators can put
spacecraft into safe mode to protect the instruments from solar
material. There is some particle radiation associated with this event,
which is what can concern operators of interplanetary spacecraft since
the particles can trip computer electronics on board.
Increased numbers of flares are quite common at the moment because the sun's normal 11-year activity cycle is ramping up toward solar maximum, which is expected in 2013. Humans have tracked the solar cycle continuously since it was discovered in 1843, and it is normal for there to be many flares a day during the sun's peak activity. The first X-class flare of the current solar cycle occurred on Feb. 15, 2011, and there have been another 15 X-class flares since, including this one. The largest X-class flare in this cycle was an X6.9 on Aug. 9, 2011.
NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (http://swpc.noaa.gov) is the U.S. government's official source for space weather forecasts, alerts, watches and warnings.
What is a solar flare?
For answers to these and other space weather questions, please visit the Space Weather Frequently Asked Questions page.
Increased numbers of flares are quite common at the moment because the sun's normal 11-year activity cycle is ramping up toward solar maximum, which is expected in 2013. Humans have tracked the solar cycle continuously since it was discovered in 1843, and it is normal for there to be many flares a day during the sun's peak activity. The first X-class flare of the current solar cycle occurred on Feb. 15, 2011, and there have been another 15 X-class flares since, including this one. The largest X-class flare in this cycle was an X6.9 on Aug. 9, 2011.
NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (http://swpc.noaa.gov) is the U.S. government's official source for space weather forecasts, alerts, watches and warnings.
What is a solar flare?
For answers to these and other space weather questions, please visit the Space Weather Frequently Asked Questions page.
Related Links
› View Past Solar Activity
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
