NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured a rare event on the sun recently, with a ‘super’ eruption featuring four separate flares. These explosions, which occurred almost simultaneously, are linked by magnetic loops in the sun’s corona. Known as “sympathetic solar flares,” the quartet of explosions covers much of the sun’s Earth-facing hemisphere.
Solar flares are explosions of electromagnetic radiation from the sun’s surface, occurring when magnetic energy builds up in the solar atmosphere. The impacts of this massive ejection on Earth are currently unclear, but they may cause radio and TV blackouts or lead to spectacular Northern Lights sightings.
These impacts are expected to arrive on or around April 26th, and could be a sign that we are nearing the solar maximum, which happens every 11 years. Scientists are closely monitoring the situation to better understand the potential effects of this rare event on our planet.
Stay tuned to White Houser for updates on this developing story and for more information on the fascinating world of space exploration and solar activity.
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