Space

Trio of solar flares

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July 27, 2016

The sun emitted three mid-level solar flares on July 22 and 23, 2016, the strongest peaking at 1:16 a.m. EDT on July 23.

The sun is currently in a period of low activity, moving toward what’s called solar minimum when there are few to no solar eruptions. These flares were the first significant events observed since April. They are categorized as mid-strength flares, substantially less intense than the most powerful solar flares.

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), which launched in February, 2010, is studying how solar activity is created and how space weather comes from that activity.

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Bottom line: The sun emitted 3 mid-level solar flares on July 22-23, 2016.

Posted

July 27, 2016

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Space

Eleanor Imster

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About the Author:

Eleanor Imster has helped write and edit EarthSky since 1995. She was an integral part of the award-winning EarthSky radio series almost since it began until it ended in 2013. She and her husband live in Tennessee, where they enjoy guitar playing and singing. They have 2 grown sons.