Sun Emits X1.2 Flare on January 5, 2023

  • Released Friday, January 6th, 2023
  • Updated Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023 at 11:43AM
  • ID: 14270
An X1.2 class solar flare flashes on the left edge of the Sun on January 5, 2023. This image was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory and shows a blend of light from the 171 and 304 angstrom wavelengths.Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

An X1.2 class solar flare flashes on the left edge of the Sun on January 5, 2023. This image was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory and shows a blend of light from the 171 and 304 angstrom wavelengths.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

The Sun emitted a strong solar flare, peaking at 7:57 p.m. EST on Jan. 5, 2023. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, which watches the Sun constantly, captured imagery of the event.

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.

An X1.2 class solar flare flashes on the left edge of the Sun on January 5, 2023. This image was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory and shows a blend of light from the 171 and 304 angstrom wavelengths. Cropped version.Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

An X1.2 class solar flare flashes on the left edge of the Sun on January 5, 2023. This image was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory and shows a blend of light from the 171 and 304 angstrom wavelengths. Cropped version.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

An X1.2 class solar flare flashes on the left edge of the Sun on January 5, 2023. This image was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory and shows a blend of light from the 171 and 131 angstrom wavelengths.Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

An X1.2 class solar flare flashes on the left edge of the Sun on January 5, 2023. This image was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory and shows a blend of light from the 171 and 131 angstrom wavelengths.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

An X1.2 class solar flare flashes on the left edge of the Sun on January 5, 2023. This image was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory and shows a blend of light from the 171 and 131 angstrom wavelengths. Cropped version.Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

An X1.2 class solar flare flashes on the left edge of the Sun on January 5, 2023. This image was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory and shows a blend of light from the 171 and 131 angstrom wavelengths. Cropped version.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

An X1.2 class solar flare flashes on the left side of the Sun on Jan. 5, 2023. This animated gif was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory and shows a blend of light from the 171 and 131 angstrom wavelengths.Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

An X1.2 class solar flare flashes on the left side of the Sun on Jan. 5, 2023. This animated gif was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory and shows a blend of light from the 171 and 131 angstrom wavelengths.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

An X1.2 class solar flare flashes on the left side of the Sun on Jan. 5, 2023. This animated gif was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory and shows a blend of light from the 171 and 131 angstrom wavelengths. Cropped version.Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

An X1.2 class solar flare flashes on the left side of the Sun on Jan. 5, 2023. This animated gif was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory and shows a blend of light from the 171 and 131 angstrom wavelengths. Cropped version.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

An X1.2 class solar flare flashes on the left side of the Sun on Jan. 5, 2023. This animated gif was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory and shows light in a 131 angstrom wavelength.Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

An X1.2 class solar flare flashes on the left side of the Sun on Jan. 5, 2023. This animated gif was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory and shows light in a 131 angstrom wavelength.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

An X1.2 class solar flare flashes on the left of the Sun on January 5, 2023. This image was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory at 7:55EST and shows light in the 131 angstrom wavelength.Credit: NASA/SDO

An X1.2 class solar flare flashes on the left of the Sun on January 5, 2023. This image was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory at 7:55EST and shows light in the 131 angstrom wavelength.

Credit: NASA/SDO

An X1.2 class solar flare flashes on the left of the Sun on January 5, 2023. This image was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory at 8:16EST and shows light in the 131 angstrom wavelength.Credit: NASA/SDO

An X1.2 class solar flare flashes on the left of the Sun on January 5, 2023. This image was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory at 8:16EST and shows light in the 131 angstrom wavelength.

Credit: NASA/SDO

An X1.2 class solar flare flashes on the left of the Sun on January 5, 2023. This image was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory at 7:58EST and shows light in the 304 angstrom wavelength.Credit: NASA/SDO

An X1.2 class solar flare flashes on the left of the Sun on January 5, 2023. This image was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory at 7:58EST and shows light in the 304 angstrom wavelength.

Credit: NASA/SDO

An X1.2 class solar flare flashes on the left of the Sun on January 5, 2023. This image was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory at 8:06EST and shows light in the 171 angstrom wavelength.Credit: NASA/SDO

An X1.2 class solar flare flashes on the left of the Sun on January 5, 2023. This image was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory at 8:06EST and shows light in the 171 angstrom wavelength.

Credit: NASA/SDO

For More Information

See https://blogs.nasa.gov/solarcycle25/2023/01/06/strong-solar-flare-erupts-from-sun-3/

Credits

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

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