SOHO views X-class solar flare

The Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) resulting from the big X-class solar flare on 10 June 2014 as seen through the LASCO C2 instrument of the ESA/NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO).

LASCO (Large Angle Spectrometric Coronagraph) is able to take images of the solar corona by blocking the light coming directly from the Sun with an occulter disk, creating an artificial eclipse within the instrument itself.

SOHO is a project of international collaboration between ESA and NASA to study the Sun from its deep core to the outer corona and the solar wind. More about SOHO:

Credits: SOHO (ESA & NASA)

NASA SDO: Mid-level M9.3 solar flare observed

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) captures images of the sun in many wavelengths of light at the same time, each of which is typically in a different color. 

Each wavelength shows different aspects of the same event, as seen in these three images of a solar flare on March 12, 2014. 

Credit: NASA /SDO /Goddard Space Flight Center

The sun emitted a mid-level solar flare, peaking at 6:34 p.m. EDT on March 12, 2014, and NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), captured an image of it. Solar flares are powerful bursts of radiation.

Harmful radiation from a flare cannot pass through Earth's atmosphere to physically affect humans on the ground, however, when intense enough, they can disturb the atmosphere in the layer where GPS and communications signals travel.

To see how this event may impact Earth, please visit NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, the U.S. government's official source for space weather forecasts, alerts, watches and warnings.

This flare is classified as an M9.3 flare, just slightly weaker than the most intense flares, which are labeled X-class.

The letters denote broad categories of strength, while the numbers provide more information. An M2 is twice as intense as an M1, an M3 is three times as intense, etc.

This M9.3 flare was emitted by an active region, a magnetically strong and complex region on the sun's surface, labeled AR 11996.

Updates will be provided as they are available on the flare and whether there was an associated coronal mass ejection, or CME, another solar phenomenon that can send solar particles into space and affect electronic systems in satellites and on Earth.

NASA SOHO: Capture an Earth directed coronal mass ejection (CME)

The SOHO LASCO C2 instrument captured this image of the Earth-directed CME. SOHO's coronographs are able to take images of the solar corona by blocking the light coming directly from the Sun with an occulter disk. 

The location of the actual sun is shown with an image taken by SDO. 

Credit: ESA & NASA/SOHO, SDO

On August 20, 2013 at 4:24 am EDT, the sun erupted with an Earth-directed coronal mass ejection or CME, a solar phenomenon which can send billions of tons of particles into space that can reach Earth one to three days later.

These particles cannot travel through the atmosphere to harm humans on Earth, but they can affect electronic systems in satellites and on the ground.

Experimental NASA research models, based on observations from NASA's Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory show that the CME left the sun at speeds of around 570 miles per second, which is a fairly typical speed for CMEs.

Earth-directed CMEs can cause a space weather phenomenon called a geomagnetic storm, which occurs when they funnel energy into Earth's magnetic envelope, the magnetosphere, for an extended period of time.

The CME's magnetic fields peel back the outermost layers of Earth's fields changing their very shape. In the past, geomagnetic storms caused by CMEs of this strength have usually been mild.

Magnetic storms can degrade communication signals and cause unexpected electrical surges in power grids. They also can cause aurora.

The SOHO LASCO C3 instrument captured this coronographic image of the Earth-directed CME. 

The bright white object to the right is the planet Mercury. 

Credit: ESA & NASA/SOHO

Coronal Mass Ejection to pass Earth, Messenger and Juno

The European Space Agency (ESA)/NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory captured this image of a coronal mass ejection as it left the sun in the direction of Earth and Mercury on July 16, 2013, at 4:24 a.m. EDT. 

Credit: ESA&NASA/SOHO

On July 16, 2013, at 12:09 a.m. EDT, the sun erupted with an Earth-directed coronal mass ejection or CME, a solar phenomenon that can send billions of tons of particles into space that can reach Earth one to three days later.

These particles cannot travel through the atmosphere to harm humans on Earth, but they can affect electronic systems in satellites and on the ground.

Experimental NASA research models, based on observations from NASA's Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory, show that the CME left the sun at speeds of around 560 miles per second, which is a fairly typical speed for CMEs.

Earth-directed CMEs can cause a space weather phenomenon called a geomagnetic storm, which occurs when they funnel energy into Earth's magnetic envelope, the magnetosphere, for an extended period of time.

The CME's magnetic fields peel back the outermost layers of Earth's fields changing their very shape. Magnetic storms can degrade communication signals and cause unexpected electrical surges in power grids.

They also can cause aurora. Storms are less frequent during solar minimum, but as the sun's activity ramps up every 11 years toward solar maximum – currently expected in late 2013—large storms occur more frequently.

Messenger Spacecraft

The CME may also pass by the Messenger and Juno spacecraft and their mission operators have been notified. If warranted, operators can put spacecraft into safe mode to protect the instruments from the solar material.

In the past, geomagnetic storms caused by CMEs of this strength have usually been mild.

Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) From the Sun Directed at Earth

Early on March 17, 2013, the coronal mass ejection (CME) from March 15 interacted with the giant magnetic bubble surrounding Earth, the magnetosphere, causing a G1-class geomagnetic storm. Storms of this strength have caused auroras near the poles but have not disrupted electrical systems on Earth or interfered with GPS or satellite-based communications systems. Credit: NASA.

On March 15, 2013, at 2:54 a.m. EDT, the sun erupted with an Earth-directed coronal mass ejection (CME), a solar phenomenon that can send billions of tons of solar particles into space and can reach Earth one to three days later and affect electronic systems in satellites and on the ground.

Experimental NASA research models, based on observations from the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) and ESA/NASA's Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, show that the CME left the sun at speeds of around 900 miles per second, which is a fairly fast speed for CMEs.

Historically, CMEs at this speed have caused mild to moderate effects at Earth.

The NASA research models also show that the CME may pass by the Spitzer and Messenger spacecraft. NASA has notified their mission operators.

There is, however, only minor particle radiation associated with this event, which is what would normally concern operators of interplanetary spacecraft since the particles can trip on board computer electronics.

Not to be confused with a solar flare, a CME is a solar phenomenon that can send solar particles into space and reach Earth one to three days later.

Earth-directed CMEs can cause a space weather phenomenon called a geomagnetic storm, which occurs when they connect with the outside of the Earth's magnetic envelope, the magnetosphere, for an extended period of time.

In the past, geomagnetic storms caused by CMEs such as this one have usually been of mild to medium strength.

Magnetic Flux Loops on the Sun Surface

This is an image of magnetic loops on the sun, captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO).

It has been processed to highlight the edges of each loop to make the structure more clear.

A series of loops such as this is known as a flux rope, and these lie at the heart of eruptions on the sun known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs.) 

This is the first time scientists were able to discern the timing of a flux rope's formation. (Blended 131 Angstrom and 171 Angstrom images of July 19, 2012 flare and CME.)

Image Credit: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center/SDO

CME: Coronal Mass Ejection Image

A long filament of solar material that had been hovering in the sun's atmosphere, or corona, erupted out into space. 

The coronal mass ejection, or CME, traveled at over 900 miles per second.

Slow Moving Solar Coronal Mass Ejection - Video

A large but relatively slow moving coronal mass ejection (CME) that erupted from the Sun on September 27 hit Earth September 30 causing a low level radio blackout and moderate geomagnetic storms.

Although the blackout has passed, storm warnings continue through October 1.

In a couple of weeks, NOAA's GOES-15 satellite, which is the primary X-ray solar sensor used to monitor solar weather, will undergo a maintenance phase as its view of the sun is eclipsed by Earth.

During that time NOAA's GOES-14 will be brought online to provide continuous coverage of solar activity.

GOES-15 is expected to be operational again around October 30.