Sun Unleashes Powerful X-Class Solar Flare that Causes Radio Blackout

On March 11, the sun unleashed a solar flare that peaked at 12:22 p.m. Now, scientists have revealed a new image of this solar flare, courtesy of NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, which watches the sun constantly.

Solar flares are powerful bursts of radiation. Although harmful radiation from these bursts can't pass through Earth's atmosphere, there is the chance for the particles to disturb our planet's atmosphere enough so that they interfere with GPS and communications signals. That said, the flare needs to be strong enough for this to occur.

In this case, the flare was classified as a X2.2-class flare. When it comes to solar flares, researchers assign them a strength, much like they do with hurricanes. X-class flares are the most intense flares and are followed by M flares. Each class of flares go up by a power of ten in terms of intensity. For example, M-class flares are a tenth the strength as X-class flares. The number assigned to a flare places them in strength within their class. For example, a X2-class flare is twice as intense as a X1-class flare, and a X3-class flare is three times as intense.

This latest solar flare was actually associated with a radio blackout. In addition, the NOAA has issued a forecast watch for a minor geomagnetic storm for March 13. While geomagnetic storms can interfere with communications, strong ones can also supercharge the Northern Lights.

For more information about this particular solar flare and to examine the space forecast for yourself, you can visit NOAA's website.

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