The Sun emitted a powerful solar flare that peaked at 2:54 a.m. ET on May 10, 2024. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, which constantly monitors the Sun, captured the image of the event. This torch is classified as X3.9 torch. While the X class represents the most powerful flares, the number tells more about its power. There have been numerous X-class flares in recent days, and NASA observed 82 intense flares between May 3-9, 2024.

Solar flares are sudden and intense bursts of radiation emitted from the Sun’s atmosphere, especially from regions where the magnetic field is very strong and complex. These flashes are a manifestation of the release of magnetic energy and can last from minutes to hours. The energy released during a solar flare is mostly in the form of electromagnetic radiation, which includes radio waves, ultraviolet light, X-rays and gamma rays.

The intensity and potential impact of solar flares on Earth are classified using a classification system developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Flares are evaluated based on their X-ray brightness in the wavelength range of 1 to 8 angstroms detected by the GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite) spacecraft.

Classes are defined as follows:

• Class X flares: these are the most powerful flashes. They can cause disruption of radio communications on Earth and long-lasting radiation storms in the upper atmosphere. The numerical suffix gives more details about their powers; X2 is twice as dense as X1, X3 is three times as dense, and so on.
• M class flashes: these are medium-sized flares that can cause short-term radio blackouts affecting Earth’s polar regions. An M-class explosion may be followed by small radiation storms.
• Class C flares: these are small explosions with barely noticeable consequences for the Earth.
• Class B and A flashes: they are even smaller and have little or no impact on the Earth.

The classification system is logarithmic, so each letter represents a tenfold increase in energy produced, making Class X flares ten times more powerful than Class M flares and a hundred times more powerful than Class C flares. This system helps scientists and interested parties. Officials are estimating the potential impact of solar activity and preparing for any disruption it might cause, especially to communications and navigation systems on Earth.