Current:Home > MySolar flares reported during total eclipse as sun nears solar maximum. What are they? -ClearPath Finance
Solar flares reported during total eclipse as sun nears solar maximum. What are they?
View
Date:2025-04-18 03:40:52
Earthlings have reported spotting solar flares during Monday's total eclipse.
The sun on Monday was expected to be at the height of its activity during its 11 year solar cycle also known as its "solar maximum." During this moment, the sun emits more solar flares and coronal mass ejections, massive bubbles of plasma threaded by rejected magnetic field lines.
Weather photographer Jack White shared photos that he said showed two solar flares right as the eclipse approached totality.
A solar flare on New Year's Eve, rated as an X-5, was the largest detected since the 2017 eclipse, when a X8.2 flare X8.2 flare occurred, according to NOAA.
Solar flares are only expected to become more common by 2025 as the sun continues to reach its solar maximum.
What are solar flares?
Considered our solar system's largest explosive events, solar flares occur when magnetic energy associated with sunspots is released, creating intense bursts of radiation.
Solar flares can last mere minutes, or can drag on for hours, depending on their intensity. NASA classifies solar flares based on their strength, with B-class being the smallest and X-class – which is what was detected last New Year's Eve – being the largest.
Weaker solar flares won't be noticeable here on Earth, but those with enough energy output to rank as an X-class have the potential to disrupt radio communications, electric power grids and navigation signals. In extreme cases, such powerful flares even pose risks to spacecraft and astronauts, according to NASA.
How big are solar flares
Solar flares are giant explosions of electromagnetic radiation that emit light, energy and high-speed particles.
They are measured by their strength from the smallest B-class, followed by C, M and the largest X class. Each class represents a ten-fold increase in energy output making is M 10 times a C and 100 times a B.
The largest solar flare ever recorded occurred on Monday, April 2, 2001 at 4:41 p.m. EDT, according to NASA. The flare, detected by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) satellite, surpassed the power of the one on March 6, 1989, which played a role in disrupting power grids in Canada.
How long do solar flares last
Solar flares can last a few minutes to several hours.
The outburst of electromagnetic energy travels are the meeting of light, according to the NOAA, making the event occurring at the same time the event is observed.
Monday's total eclipse began in Mexico at about 11:07 a.m. PDT, before reaching Texas at 1:27 p.m. CDT and ending in Maine at 3:35 p.m. EDT.
veryGood! (15)
Related
- Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
- Jewel Breaks Silence on Kevin Costner Dating Rumors
- Ron Goldman's Dad Fred Speaks Out After O.J. Simpson's Death
- Coast Guard, Navy rescue 3 stranded men after spotting 'HELP' sign made with palm leaves
- Immigration issues sorted, Guatemala runner Luis Grijalva can now focus solely on sports
- Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife will have separate bribery trials, judge rules
- Ralph Puckett Jr., army colonel awarded Medal of Honor for heroism during Korean War, dies at 97
- Coachella 2024: Lineup, daily schedule, ticket info, how to watch festival livestream
- Judge says Mexican ex-official tried to bribe inmates in a bid for new US drug trial
- Tom Hanks Reveals Secret to 35-Year Marriage With Rita Wilson
Ranking
- 'Most Whopper
- 6 suspects arrested in murder of soccer star Luke Fleurs at gas station in South Africa
- Untangling Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan's Years-Long Divorce Trial
- Ralph Puckett Jr., army colonel awarded Medal of Honor for heroism during Korean War, dies at 97
- How effective is the Hyundai, Kia anti-theft software? New study offers insights.
- O.J. Simpson Trial Witness Kato Kaelin Honors Nicole Brown Simpson After O.J.'s Death
- Thirteen men plead not guilty for role in Brooklyn synagogue tunnel scuffle
- MLB Misery Index: AL Central limping early with White Sox, Guardians injuries
Recommendation
Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
The OJ Simpson saga was a unique American moment. 3 decades on, we’re still wondering what it means
Dodgers Star Shohei Ohtani's Former Interpreter Facing Fraud Charges After Allegedly Stealing $16 Million
Thursday's NBA schedule to have big impact on playoff seeding
'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
Phoenix officer fired over 2022 fatal shooting of a rock-throwing suspect
Ex-NBA player scores victory with Kentucky bill to expand coverage for stuttering treatment
NHL scoring title, final playoff berths up for grabs with week left in regular season