NASA’s
Solar Dynamics Observer captured this image of an X3.3-class solar
flare that peaked at 5:12 p.m. EST on Nov. 5, 2013. This image shows
light blended from the 131 and 193 wavelengths.Image Credit: NASA/SDO. View full disk image
The
sun emitted a significant solar flare, peaking at 5:12 p.m. EST on Nov.
5, 2013. Solar flares are powerful bursts of radiation. Harmful
radiation from a flare cannot pass through Earth's atmosphere to
physically affect humans on the ground, however -- when intense enough
-- they can disturb the atmosphere in the layer where GPS and
communications signals travel.
To see how this event may impact Earth, please visit NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center at http://spaceweather.gov, the U.S. government's official source for space weather forecasts, alerts, watches and warnings.
This flare is classified as an X3.3 flare. 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.
Increased numbers of flares are quite common at the moment as the
sun's normal 11-year activity cycle is ramping up toward solar maximum
conditions.
Updates will be provided as needed.
Related Links
› Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Space Weather
› View Other Past Solar Activity
