Three strong solar flares hit Earth on December 29, peaking at 2:18 a.m., 11:14 p.m., and 11:31 p.m. ET. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Solar Ultraviolet Imager captured the events.
Solar flares are powerful energy bursts that can disrupt radio communications, electric power grids, navigation signals, and pose risks to spacecraft and astronauts. The first flare was X1.1, while the second was X1.5 and the third was also X1.1.
To understand how space weather may affect Earth, visit NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (https://spaceweather.gov/). NASA monitors the Sun and our space environment continuously with its fleet of spacecraft. The agency is part of the nation’s space weather effort and offers research opportunities to study solar activity and its impact on Earth.
Source: https://blogs.nasa.gov/solarcycle25/2024/12/30/sun-releases-3-strong-solar-flares