The sun is ending 2024 with a bang, producing three powerful solar flares on December 29. According to NASA, these X-class flares occurred at 2:18 A.M., 11:14 P.M., and 11:31 P.M. EST.
Scientists have identified this as the maximum of the sun’s current activity cycle, which is driven by its magnetic fields. The magnetic fields on the sun’s surface are constantly changing, causing various effects such as solar flares and stunning auroras.
These X-class flares are the most powerful type of solar flare, representing a significant increase in the sun’s activity. The outbursts may also cause spectacular displays of northern lights visible from Earth, potentially painting the skies with vibrant colors.
As Maria Kazachenko, a heliophysicist at the University of Colorado Boulder and the National Solar Observatory, notes, “Our sun is a giant magnet, and most of what happens on it is guided by its magnetism.”
Source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/auroras-may-light-up-new-years-sky-after-solar-outbursts