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The solar flare emerged from an active sunspot designated AR3664.
The Sun on Tuesday released another powerful storm of energized particles, the strongest flare of the current solar cycle, heading toward Earth. According to Live Science, the solar flare is category X8.7, much stronger than the one that hit our planet last week. Citing data from the US agency National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the media said that the sunspot from which the flare emerged is located at the very edge of the visible side of the Sun. It also said that parts of the Earth, especially the United States, will experience radio blackouts when the storm hits the planet.
This one deserves a closeup! 📸
Here’s another multi-wavelength look at today’s X8.7-class solar flare, the most powerful of this solar cycle. pic.twitter.com/TxxGDNTXmF
– NASA Sun and Space (@NASASun) May 14, 2024
NOAA said the latest solar flare will not cause geomagnetic storms or aurora activity.
The sunspot, called AR3664, has been crackling with solar flares for days. On May 10, it erupted with a flare of class X5.8, and a few hours on Tuesday, three flares of class biggest in the world. Current 11-year solar cycle that began in December 2019.
“Region 3664 produced ANOTHER X-ray flare as it moves beyond the western solar limb!! This time, it was an X8.7 flare, the largest of this solar cycle!” NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center he said in an update on May 14.
NASA said the 25th solar cycle that began is now approaching solar maximum, a period when flares like this become more common.
For sky watchers around the world, last week’s celestial drama unfolded in stunning auroras that painted the skies in vibrant shades of pink, green and purple. From northern Europe to Tasmania in Australia, skywatchers were able to capture stunning photographs, courtesy of this rare phenomenon.
