Sun Emits X5 Flare on December 31, 2023

  • Released Thursday, January 4, 2024
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NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare – as seen in the bright flash on the left – on Dec. 31. 2023. The image shows a blend of 171 and 131 Angstrom extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the extremely hot material in flares and which is colorized in blue and gold.Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare – as seen in the bright flash on the left – on Dec. 31. 2023. The image shows a blend of 171 and 131 Angstrom extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the extremely hot material in flares and which is colorized in blue and gold.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

The Sun emitted a strong solar flare, peaking at 4:55 p.m. EST, on Dec. 31, 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 X5.0 flare. X-class denotes the most intense flares, while the number provides more information about its strength.

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare – as seen in the bright flash on the left – on Dec. 31. 2023. The image shows a blend of 171 and 131 Angstrom extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the extremely hot material in flares and which is colorized in red and orange.Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare – as seen in the bright flash on the left – on Dec. 31. 2023. The image shows a blend of 171 and 131 Angstrom extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the extremely hot material in flares and which is colorized in red and orange.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this video of a solar flare in 131 angstrom wavelength light on Dec. 31. 2023.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare – as seen in the bright flash on the left – on Dec. 31. 2023. This image shows 131 angstrom wavelength light.Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare – as seen in the bright flash on the left – on Dec. 31. 2023. This image shows 131 angstrom wavelength light.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare – as seen in the bright flash on the left – on Dec. 31. 2023. This image shows 171 angstrom wavelength light.Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare – as seen in the bright flash on the left – on Dec. 31. 2023. This image shows 171 angstrom wavelength light.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

For More Information

See https://blogs.nasa.gov/solarcycle25/2023/12/31/strong-solar-flare-erupts-from-sun-8/

Credits

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. However, individual items should be credited as indicated above.

This page was originally published on Thursday, January 4, 2024.
This page was last updated on Sunday, February 4, 2024 at 11:22 PM EST.

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