Science WireSpace

Mid-level solar flare April 2

Image credit: NASA
View larger. | Image credit: NASA/SDO/Goddard Space Flight Center

This image from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory shows a mid-level solar flare – an M6.5 – that erupted from the sun on April 2, 2014, peaking at 10:05 a.m. EDT. The images shows the flare in a blend of two wavelengths of extreme ultraviolet light: 131 Angstroms and 171 Angstroms, colorized in yellow and red, respectively.

Solar flares are short-lived but powerful bursts of radiation. They are our solar system’s largest explosive events, lasting minutes to hours on the sun’s surface.

Are solar storms dangerous to us?

Will I see the northern lights tonight?

Posted 
April 2, 2014
 in 
Science Wire

Like what you read?
Subscribe and receive daily news delivered to your inbox.

Your email address will only be used for EarthSky content. Privacy Policy
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

More from 

Eleanor Imster

View All