Strong Solar Flare Erupts from Sun

The Sun emitted a strong solar flare, peaking at 7:48 a.m. ET on Jan. 4, 2025. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Solar Ultraviolet Imager, which watches the Sun constantly, captured an image of the event.

The Sun, shown in orange, against a black background. There are several dark splotches and bright orange and yellow regions. On the upper left, there is a bright white area — the flare.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Solar Ultraviolet Imager captured this image of a solar flare — seen as the bright flash on the left – on Jan. 4, 2025. The image shows a subset of extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the extremely hot material in flares and which is colorized in orange. Credit: NOAA

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 X1.8 flare. X-class denotes the most intense flares, while the number provides more information about its strength.

Data from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory is temporarily unavailable because of flooding in the building that houses the mission’s data center. The image above was captured by the Solar Ultraviolet Imager (SUVI) on board NOAA’s GOES-East satellite.

To see how such space weather may affect Earth, please visit NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center https://spaceweather.gov/, the U.S. government’s official source for space weather forecasts, watches, warnings, and alerts. NASA works as a research arm of the nation’s space weather effort. NASA observes the Sun and our space environment constantly with a fleet of spacecraft that study everything from the Sun’s activity to the solar atmosphere, and to the particles and magnetic fields in the space surrounding Earth.

Sun Releases Strong Solar Flare

The Sun emitted a strong solar flare, peaking at 5:41 p.m. ET on Jan. 3, 2025. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Solar Ultraviolet Imager, which watches the Sun constantly, captured an image of the event.

The Sun appears in shades of green with some brighter and darker regions, set against a black background. In the upper left part of the Sun is a bright flash of white, a solar flare.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Solar Ultraviolet Imager captured this image of a solar flare — seen as the bright flash in the upper left – on Jan. 3. The image shows a subset of extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the extremely hot material in flares and which is colorized in green. Credit: NOAA

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 X1.1 flare. X-class denotes the most intense flares, while the number provides more information about its strength.

To see how such space weather may affect Earth, please visit NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center https://spaceweather.gov/, the U.S. government’s official source for space weather forecasts, watches, warnings, and alerts. NASA works as a research arm of the nation’s space weather effort. NASA observes the Sun and our space environment constantly with a fleet of spacecraft that study everything from the Sun’s activity to the solar atmosphere, and to the particles and magnetic fields in the space surrounding Earth.

Strong Flare Erupts from Sun

The Sun emitted a strong flare, peaking at 6:39 a.m. ET on Friday, Jan. 3. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Solar Ultraviolet Imager, which watches the Sun constantly, captured an image of the event.

An ultraviolet image of the Sun with the bright flash of a flare visible on the upper left
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Solar Ultraviolet Imager captured this image of a solar flare — seen as the bright flash in the upper left – on Jan. 3. The image shows a subset of extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the extremely hot material in flares and which is colorized in red and gold. Credit: NOAA

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 X1.2 flare. X-class denotes the most intense flares, while the number provides more information about its strength.

Data from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory is temporarily unavailable because of flooding in the building that houses the mission’s data center. The image above was captured by the Solar Ultraviolet Imager (SUVI) on board NOAA’s GOES-East satellite.

To see how such space weather may affect Earth, please visit NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center https://spaceweather.gov/, the U.S. government’s official source for space weather forecasts, watches, warnings, and alerts. NASA works as a research arm of the nation’s space weather effort. NASA observes the Sun and our space environment constantly with a fleet of spacecraft that study everything from the Sun’s activity to the solar atmosphere, and to the particles and magnetic fields in the space surrounding Earth.

Sun Releases 3 Strong Solar Flares

The Sun emitted three strong solar flares on Dec. 29, 2024, peaking at 2:18 a.m. ET, 11:14 p.m. ET, and 11:31 p.m. ET. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Solar Ultraviolet Imager, which watches the Sun constantly, captured images of the events.

The Sun, shown in blue, against a black background. In several areas on the Sun, small flashes appear sporadically. On the right, multiple bright flashes burst from one area.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Solar Ultraviolet Imager captured these images of the solar flares — seen as the bright flashes on the right side of the Sun – on Dec. 29, 2024. The images show a subset of extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the extremely hot material in flares and which is colorized in blue. Credit: NOAA

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.

The first flare is classified as an X1.1 flare. The second flare is classified as an X1.5 flare, and the third is classified as an X1.1 flare. X-class denotes the most intense flares, while the number provides more information about its strength.

To see how such space weather may affect Earth, please visit NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center https://spaceweather.gov/, the U.S. government’s official source for space weather forecasts, watches, warnings, and alerts. NASA works as a research arm of the nation’s space weather effort. NASA observes the Sun and our space environment constantly with a fleet of spacecraft that study everything from the Sun’s activity to the solar atmosphere, and to the particles and magnetic fields in the space surrounding Earth.

Sun Releases Strong Flare

The Sun emitted a strong solar flare, peaking at 4:06 a.m. ET on Sunday, Dec. 8. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Solar Ultraviolet Imager, which watches the Sun constantly, captured an image of the event.

An extreme ultraviolet view of the Sun with loops of material and the bright flash of a solar flare on the right side
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Solar Ultraviolet Imager captured this image of a solar flare — seen as the bright flash on the right side – on Dec. 8. The image shows a subset of extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the extremely hot material in flares and which is colorized in blue. Credit: NOAA

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 a X2.2 flare. X-class denotes the most intense flares, while the number provides more information about its strength.

Data from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory is temporarily unavailable because of flooding in the building that houses the mission’s data center. The image above was captured by the Solar Ultraviolet Imager (SUVI) on board NOAA’s GOES-East satellite.

To see how such space weather may affect Earth, please visit NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center https://spaceweather.gov/, the U.S. government’s official source for space weather forecasts, watches, warnings, and alerts. NASA works as a research arm of the nation’s space weather effort. NASA observes the Sun and our space environment constantly with a fleet of spacecraft that study everything from the Sun’s activity to the solar atmosphere, and to the particles and magnetic fields in the space surrounding Earth.

Strong Solar Flare Erupts From Sun

The Sun emitted a strong solar flare, peaking at 8:40 a.m. ET on Nov. 6, 2024. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, which watches the Sun constantly, captured an image of the event.

A portion of the Sun, shown in red. Toward the middle of the image are bright white and yellow areas. A spurt of solar material erupts from the area.
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare — seen as the bright flash near the center — on Nov. 6, 2024. The image shows a subset of extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the extremely hot material in flares and which is colorized in red. Credit: NASA/SDO

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 X2.3 class flare. X-class denotes the most intense flares, while the number provides more information about its strength.

To see how such space weather may affect Earth, please visit NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center https://spaceweather.gov/, the U.S. government’s official source for space weather forecasts, watches, warnings, and alerts. NASA works as a research arm of the nation’s space weather effort. NASA observes the Sun and our space environment constantly with a fleet of spacecraft that study everything from the Sun’s activity to the solar atmosphere, and to the particles and magnetic fields in the space surrounding Earth.

Sun Releases Strong Solar Flare

The Sun emitted a strong solar flare, peaking at 5:20 p.m. ET on Oct. 31, 2024. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, which watches the Sun constantly, captured an image of the event.

The Sun appears in shades of red with some brighter and darker regions, set against a black background. In the upper left part of the Sun is a bright flash of white, a solar flare.
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare – seen as the bright flash in the upper left – on Oct. 31, 2024. The image shows a subset of extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the extremely hot material in flares and which is colorized in red. Credit: NASA/SDO

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 X2.0 flare. X-class denotes the most intense flares, while the number provides more information about its strength.

To see how such space weather may affect Earth, please visit NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center https://spaceweather.gov/, the U.S. government’s official source for space weather forecasts, watches, warnings, and alerts. NASA works as a research arm of the nation’s space weather effort. NASA observes the Sun and our space environment constantly with a fleet of spacecraft that study everything from the Sun’s activity to the solar atmosphere, and to the particles and magnetic fields in the space surrounding Earth.

Strong Solar Flare Erupts from Sun

The Sun emitted a strong solar flare, peaking at 3:19 a.m. ET on Oct. 26, 2024. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, which watches the Sun constantly, captured these images of the event.

A sequence of nine images shows a solar flare in three different wavelengths: blue (131 Angstrom), yellow (171 Angstrom), and red (304 Angstrom). Each row depicts the progression of the flare over time from 2:25 to 3:22 a.m. EDT on 10/26/24.
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured these images of a solar flare — seen as the bright flash in each of the three image panes — on Oct. 26, 2024. The images show three different subsets of extreme ultraviolet light that highlight the extremely hot material in flares and which are colorized in teal, gold, and red. Credit: NASA/SDO

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 X1.8 class flare. X-class denotes the most intense flares, while the number provides more information about its strength.

To see how such space weather may affect Earth, please visit NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center https://spaceweather.gov/, the U.S. government’s official source for space weather forecasts, watches, warnings, and alerts. NASA works as a research arm of the nation’s space weather effort. NASA observes the Sun and our space environment constantly with a fleet of spacecraft that study everything from the Sun’s activity to the solar atmosphere, and to the particles and magnetic fields in the space surrounding Earth.

Sun Releases Strong Solar Flare

The Sun emitted a strong solar flare, peaking at 11:57 p.m. ET on Oct. 23, 2024. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, which watches the Sun constantly, captured an image of the event.

A portion of the Sun fills the center, most of the top, and right side of the image. The left of the image is black. The Sun is dark orange with bright yellow areas. From a very bright yellow area, solar material bursts off the Sun, into the area of black space.
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare — seen as the bright flash on the left — on Oct. 23, 2024. The image shows a subset of extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the extremely hot material in flares and which is colorized in orange. Credit: NASA/SDO

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 X3.3 class flare. X-class denotes the most intense flares, while the number provides more information about its strength.

To see how such space weather may affect Earth, please visit NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center https://spaceweather.gov/, the U.S. government’s official source for space weather forecasts, watches, warnings, and alerts. NASA works as a research arm of the nation’s space weather effort. NASA observes the Sun and our space environment constantly with a fleet of spacecraft that study everything from the Sun’s activity to the solar atmosphere, and to the particles and magnetic fields in the space surrounding Earth.

Strong Solar Flare Erupts from Sun

The Sun emitted a strong solar flare, peaking at 11:47 a.m. ET on Oct. 9, 2024. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, which watches the Sun constantly, captured an image of the event.

A portion of the Sun, shown in gold. On the far right is a bright white line, where the flare erupted.
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare — seen as the bright flash on the right — on Oct. 9, 2024. The image shows a subset of extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the extremely hot material in flares and which is colorized in gold. Credit: NASA/SDO

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 X1.4 flare. X-class denotes the most intense flares, while the number provides more information about its strength.

To see how such space weather may affect Earth, please visit NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center https://spaceweather.gov/, the U.S. government’s official source for space weather forecasts, watches, warnings, and alerts. NASA works as a research arm of the nation’s space weather effort. NASA observes the Sun and our space environment constantly with a fleet of spacecraft that study everything from the Sun’s activity to the solar atmosphere, and to the particles and magnetic fields in the space surrounding Earth.