Solar Flares: Unleashing Power and Spectacular Phenomena

The sun unleashed a powerful X-class solar flare, the most potent since 2017, which was captured on video by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory spacecraft. The flare, classified as X2.8, was accompanied by a coronal mass ejection (CME) that may have an Earth-directed component. CMEs can cause geomagnetic storms that disrupt power grids and enhance auroras. While Earth's atmosphere protects us from harmful radiation, the flare caused a deep shortwave radio blackout over the Americas. Solar activity is expected to increase as the sun becomes more active during its 11-year cycle, with the current Solar Cycle 25 predicted to peak between January and October of next year.