Sun spits out series of strong solar flares
LOS ANGELES — The sun fired off a massive flare on Mother’s Day, and followed up with two more, the most recent on Monday at 6:11 p.m. PDT.
The first flare occurred Sunday and erupted on the side of the sun that was not facing Earth. While the planet was not hit with radiation, space weather forecasters say the solar blast briefly disrupted high-frequency radio signals.
The subsequent flares on Monday were similar, facing away from Earth and characterized as “CMEs” — coronal mass ejections.
The last burst left the sun at approximately 1,400 miles per second, which is particularly fast for a CME, according to NASA’s website.
Solar outbursts that are directed at Earth can affect communications systems and power grids and also produce colorful auroras.
NASA says radiation from the latest flare may stream toward two of its spacecraft, including the Spitzer Space Telescope. Engineers have the option to put them in safe mode to protect instruments from getting fried.
The side of the sun where Sunday’s eruption occurred will rotate into Earth’s view soon, allowing scientists to study the active region.
MORE INFORMATION:
NASA reports details on the series of flares.
