NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) has recorded one of the strongest outbursts in the current solar cycle, with the potential to impact technological systems on Earth and in space
On October 1, 2024, a powerful X7.1 magnitude solar flare was imaged by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, peaking at 18:20 p.m. ET. This solar event ranks as one of the two most powerful flares in the current solar cycle 25, which began in December 2019, and was preceded by an X8.7 eruption in May 2024.
Solar flares are intense bursts of radiation caused by the release of magnetic energy associated with sunspots. They are classified according to their brightness in the ultraviolet frequencies observed by satellites, with classifications ranging from A, B, C, M, to X, with each classification representing a tenfold increase in energy emission. Class A bursts are the smallest, with little effect on Earth, while Class X bursts are the largest and can cause global radio blackouts and long radiation storms.
The classification system not only marks eruptions according to their X-ray brightness, but also includes a numerical suffix that provides additional information about their intensity. For example, an X2 burst is twice as strong as an X1 burst, and an X3 burst is three times as strong. This classification helps researchers and space weather forecasters assess possible impacts on Earth and technological systems. During periods of increased solar activity, usually at the peak of the 11-year solar cycle, the frequency and intensity of eruptions increase, making tracking and classification even more significant.
Agencies such as NASA and NOAA regularly monitor solar activity through various space-based observatories. This monitoring is essential for predicting and mitigating the effects of solar flares on space-based and ground-based technological systems, ensuring safety and resilience in an increasingly technology-dependent world.
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) is a space telescope dedicated to continuously observing the Sun and its behavior. It was launched on February 11, 2010, as part of the Life with a Star (LWS) program, and aims to provide a deeper understanding of the influence of The sun on the earth and the space near it, by studying the sun's atmosphere at many wavelengths.The main goal is to learn more about the sun's magnetic field and the way it creates the The solar wind, solar flares, and other space weather phenomena that can affect life and technology on Earth.
The SDO spacecraft is equipped with an array of measuring instruments that take high-resolution images of the Sun at 13 different wavelengths every 12 seconds, providing new insights into its solar activities. The main measurement tools include the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI), which maps the Sun's magnetic field and studies the photonic forces operating within the Sun; the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA), which images the Sun's atmosphere at many wavelengths to better understand the relationship between the Sun's surface and atmosphere; and the Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE), which measures the sun's ultraviolet emission and provides vital data on how it affects the Earth's atmosphere. Through these advanced tools, the SDO plays a vital role in understanding the complex solar system and helps us improve our ability to predict space weather phenomena.
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