Sun Emits 3 X-class Flares in 2 Days

  • Released Tuesday, June 10th, 2014
  • Updated Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023 at 1:50PM
  • ID: 11564

The sun emitted a significant solar flare, peaking at 7:42 a.m. EDT on June 10, 2014. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory – which typically observes the entire sun 24 hours a day — captured images of the flare.

This flare is classified as an X2.2 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.

About one hour later, the sun released a second X-class flare, peaking at 8:52 a.m. EDT on June 10, 2014. This is classified as an X1.5 flare.

This video shows both X-class flares from June 10, 2014.

Credit: NASA/SDO/Goddard

Three X-class flares erupted from the left side of the sun June 10-11, 2014. These images are from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory and show light in a blend of two ultraviolet wavelengths: 171 and 131 angstroms. The former is colorized in yellow, the latter in red. Image Credit: NASA/SDO/Goddard

Three X-class flares erupted from the left side of the sun June 10-11, 2014. These images are from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory and show light in a blend of two ultraviolet wavelengths: 171 and 131 angstroms. The former is colorized in yellow, the latter in red.

Image Credit: NASA/SDO/Goddard

Three X-class flares erupted from the left side of the sun June 10-11, 2014. These images are from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory and show light in a blend of two ultraviolet wavelengths: 171 and 131 angstroms. The former is colorized in yellow, the latter in red. No text.Image Credit: NASA/SDO/Goddard

Three X-class flares erupted from the left side of the sun June 10-11, 2014. These images are from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory and show light in a blend of two ultraviolet wavelengths: 171 and 131 angstroms. The former is colorized in yellow, the latter in red. No text.

Image Credit: NASA/SDO/Goddard

A solar flare bursts off the left limb of the sun in this image captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on June 11, 2014, at 9:05 a.m. EDT. This is classified as an X1.0 flare, shown in a blend of two wavelengths of light: 171 and 131 angstroms, colorized in gold and red, respectively. Cropped.Image Credit: NASA/SDO/Goddard

A solar flare bursts off the left limb of the sun in this image captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on June 11, 2014, at 9:05 a.m. EDT. This is classified as an X1.0 flare, shown in a blend of two wavelengths of light: 171 and 131 angstroms, colorized in gold and red, respectively. Cropped.

Image Credit: NASA/SDO/Goddard

A solar flare bursts off the left limb of the sun in this image captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on June 11, 2014, at 9:05 a.m. EDT. This is classified as an X1.0 flare, shown in a blend of two wavelengths of light: 171 and 131 angstroms, colorized in gold and red, respectively.Image Credit: NASA/SDO/Goddard

A solar flare bursts off the left limb of the sun in this image captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on June 11, 2014, at 9:05 a.m. EDT. This is classified as an X1.0 flare, shown in a blend of two wavelengths of light: 171 and 131 angstroms, colorized in gold and red, respectively.

Image Credit: NASA/SDO/Goddard

A solar flare bursts off the left limb of the sun in this image captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on June 10, 2014, at 8:55 a.m. EDT. This is classified as an X1.5 flare, shown in a blend of two wavelengths of light: 171 and 131 angstroms, colorized in gold and red, respectively. Image Credit: NASA/SDO/Goddard

A solar flare bursts off the left limb of the sun in this image captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on June 10, 2014, at 8:55 a.m. EDT. This is classified as an X1.5 flare, shown in a blend of two wavelengths of light: 171 and 131 angstroms, colorized in gold and red, respectively.

Image Credit: NASA/SDO/Goddard

A solar flare bursts off the left limb of the sun in this image captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on June 10, 2014, at 7:41 a.m. EDT. This is classified as an X2.2 flare, shown in a blend of two wavelengths of light: 171 and 131 angstroms, colorized in gold and red, respectively. Cropped.Image Credit: NASA/SDO/Goddard/Wiessinger

A solar flare bursts off the left limb of the sun in this image captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on June 10, 2014, at 7:41 a.m. EDT. This is classified as an X2.2 flare, shown in a blend of two wavelengths of light: 171 and 131 angstroms, colorized in gold and red, respectively. Cropped.

Image Credit: NASA/SDO/Goddard/Wiessinger

A solar flare bursts off the left limb of the sun in this image captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on June 10, 2014, at 7:41 a.m. EDT. This is classified as an X2.2 flare, shown in a blend of two wavelengths of light: 171 and 131 angstroms, colorized in gold and red, respectively.Image Credit: NASA/SDO/Goddard/Wiessinger

A solar flare bursts off the left limb of the sun in this image captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on June 10, 2014, at 7:41 a.m. EDT. This is classified as an X2.2 flare, shown in a blend of two wavelengths of light: 171 and 131 angstroms, colorized in gold and red, respectively.

Image Credit: NASA/SDO/Goddard/Wiessinger

The first X-class flare of June 10, 2014, appears as a bright flash on the left side of this image from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory. This image shows light in the 131-angstrom wavelength, which is typically colorized in teal. It was captured at 7:41 a.m EDT.Image Credit: NASA/SDO

The first X-class flare of June 10, 2014, appears as a bright flash on the left side of this image from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory. This image shows light in the 131-angstrom wavelength, which is typically colorized in teal. It was captured at 7:41 a.m EDT.

Image Credit: NASA/SDO

The first X-class flare of June 10, 2014, appears as a bright flash on the left side of this image from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory. This image shows light in the 171-angstrom wavelength, which is typically colorized in gold. It was captured at 7:41 a.m EDT.Image Credit: NASA/SDO

The first X-class flare of June 10, 2014, appears as a bright flash on the left side of this image from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory. This image shows light in the 171-angstrom wavelength, which is typically colorized in gold. It was captured at 7:41 a.m EDT.

Image Credit: NASA/SDO

The second X-class flare of June 10, 2014, appears as a bright flash on the left side of this image from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory. This image shows light in the 131-angstrom wavelength, which is typically colorized in teal. It was captured at 8:57 a.m EDT, just after the flare peaked.Image Credit: NASA/SDO

The second X-class flare of June 10, 2014, appears as a bright flash on the left side of this image from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory. This image shows light in the 131-angstrom wavelength, which is typically colorized in teal. It was captured at 8:57 a.m EDT, just after the flare peaked.

Image Credit: NASA/SDO

The second X-class flare of June 10, 2014, appears as a bright flash on the left side of this image from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory. This image shows light in the 193-angstrom wavelength, which is typically colorized in yellow. It was captured at 8:55 a.m EDT, just after the flare peaked.Image Credit: NASA/SDO

The second X-class flare of June 10, 2014, appears as a bright flash on the left side of this image from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory. This image shows light in the 193-angstrom wavelength, which is typically colorized in yellow. It was captured at 8:55 a.m EDT, just after the flare peaked.

Image Credit: NASA/SDO

4k video and frames of the first two flares in 131 angstrom light.

Credit: NASA/Goddard/SDO

4k video and frames of the first two flares in 171 angstrom light.

Credit: NASA/Goddard/SDO

4k video and frames of the first two flares in 304 angstrom light.

Credit: NASA/Goddard/SDO

For More Information

See http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/sun-emits-3-x-class-flares-in-2-days/

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NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. However, individual images should be credited as indicated above.

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  • 2014 Heliophysics Breaking News (ID: 2014015)
    Tuesday, December 30, 2014 at 5:00AM
    Produced by - Robert Crippen

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