📷 Image Credits: The Times of India
The recent solar activity captured by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory has shed light on the intense solar flares emitted by the Sun. These solar flares, visible as bright flashes in extreme ultraviolet light, highlight the extremely hot material in flares. The images reveal various wavelengths showcasing different temperatures of solar material, aiding scientists in understanding the movement of solar matter and energy during a flare.
One of the most significant solar events in recent years occurred in May 2024, where a barrage of large solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) headed towards Earth. These solar storms caused historic aurora displays and challenged the current models and understanding of solar weather. The intensity of the solar storm was evident with multiple X-class solar flares, some peaking at the highest level on the geomagnetic storm scale.
The solar flares and CMEs, traveling at speeds up to 3 million mph, led to a long-lasting geomagnetic storm that created brilliant auroras visible even at lower latitudes like the southern U.S. and northern India. The event provided a unique opportunity for scientists to study these phenomena and gather data on the impacts of solar activity on Earth’s upper atmosphere.
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, launched in 2010, continuously monitors the Sun’s activity and provides crucial data on solar dynamics. The observatory captures high-resolution images of the solar corona and chromosphere in multiple wavelengths, contributing to a better understanding of solar radiation and its effects on our atmosphere.
With the recent solar storm subsiding as the active region rotates out of Earth’s view, NASA continues to monitor the region using the Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO). These observations will further our understanding of solar events, aiding in the forecast of space weather and preparing for potential disruptions on Earth.
NASA’s efforts to explore the unknown in air and space, innovate for the benefit of humanity, and inspire the world through discovery showcase the agency’s commitment to studying and understanding the impacts of solar activity on our planet.
