A significant solar flare was detected on January 3, causing widespread concern. The X 1.2 class flare lasted for 20 minutes and was the strongest of three similar flares recorded in December. These intense bursts of solar plasma can trigger geomagnetic storms when they reach Earth’s atmosphere.
Source: https://en.mehrnews.com/news/226428/This-year-s-first-most-intense-solar-flare-registered-Friday