NASA catches sun sending powerful flare into space

space.com ^ | 01/21/2021 | Elizabeth Howell

[BenLurkin]

Our sun just had a medium-sized energy burp.

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) caught a mid-level solar flare on Thursday (Jan. 20) with a peak at 1:01 a.m. EST (0601 GMT). You can see the flash on the limb, or edge, of the sun, thanks to SDO's powerful imaging.

Because the flare was on the sun's limb, it likely wasn't pointed squarely toward Earth. The flare is classified as medium or M5.5 class, powerful enough to potentially cause radio blackouts in polar regions if the flare were to hit our planet square-on.

The sun has an 11-year cycle of solar activity, and is currently in what astronomers call Solar Cycle 25. (That number refers to the cycles that have been closely tracked by scientists.)

At the peak of solar cycles, the sun has a number of sunspots on its surface, which represent concentrations of energy. As magnetic lines tangle in the sunspots, they can "snap" and generate bursts of energy such as flares.

Solar Cycle 25's peak is a little hard to predict, but in 2020 NASA suggested we may see a peak of sunspots, solar flares and coronal mass ejections around 2025.

[BenLurkin]

(Image credit: NASA/SDO)

[Theophilous Meatyard III]

Would be an unlimited source of power, if we could harness it.

[algore]

Is that you Ed ?

I am pretty the Sun God will prevail despite any human intervention

[jdsteel]

Around 2025?

I hope they’re right. Sunspot activity has been so slow we’ve been flirting with the possibility of a mini ice age.

[one guy in new jersey]

Not exactly newsworthy. That said, the thumbnail moving image is pretty sharp looking.

[AndyJackson]

NASA catches sun sending powerful flare into space

Has a GJ handed down and indictment yet?

[Theophilous Meatyard III]

And free power. I used to work for a power company, and they didn’t want to talk about it.

[Sparticus]

NASA catches sun sending powerful flare into space

Naughty sun! You go stand in the corner.

[Larry Lucido]

I think this has been spoken of.

Aaaaahhhhhhhhhh...
Here comes the Sun King
Here comes the Sun King
Everybody’s laughing
Everybody’s happy
Here comes the Sun King

Quando paramucho mi amore de felice carathon
Mundo paparazzi mi amore cicce verdi parasol
Questo abrigado tantamucho que canite carousel

[Larry Lucido]

Also:

Here comes the sun do, do, do
Here comes the sun
And I say it’s all right
Little darling, it’s been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it seems like years since it’s been here

[Larry Lucido]

Also:

Good day sunshine
Good day sunshine
Good day sunshine
I need to laugh, and when the sun is out
I’ve got something I can laugh about
I feel good, in a special way
I’m in love and it’s a sunny day

[Larry Lucido]

Also:

One day you’ll look
To see I’ve gone
For tomorrow may rain
So I’ll follow the sun
Some day you’ll know
I was the one
But tomorrow may rain
So I’ll follow the sun

[DannyTN]

[freepertoo]

Ah, love you Beatle people!

[Larry Lucido]

Oh, all right! :-)

Can you feel it
Now that spring has come
And it’s time to live in the
Scattered sun
Waiting for the sun
Waiting for the sun
Waiting for the sun

[Larry Lucido]

In the eye of the sun before the world had begun
Takin’ it easy, I was havin’ some fun
Loafin’ and a jokin’ it was all energy
No such thing as you and or me
No time, you are mine
In the eye of the sun before the world had begun