Sun emits 20 solar flares, 34 coronal mass ejections in just one week

Our life-giving star, the Sun, is ramping up its activity as it approaches solar maximum, leading to an increase in solar flares and coronal mass ejections.

For the unversed, the Sun undergoes a regular cycle of activity that lasts approximately 11 years. During a solar maximum, its magnetic field becomes particularly active, and its outer atmosphere or corona expands, resulting in a greater release of energy in the form of charged particles and electromagnetic radiation, which can have an impact on technology and communications systems on Earth.

According to NASA, in the past week alone, the Sun emitted 20 notable solar flares - intense bursts of radiation released from the sun's surface. On February 7, the Sun emitted an M6.3 flare, a video of which was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). Flares can emit large amounts of X-rays and ultraviolet radiation, as well as charged particles that can travel through space and impact Earth's magnetic field, which blocks harmful particles and radiation from the Sun.

The Sun has a glint in its eye... 👀 On Feb. 7, the Sun emitted an M6.3 flare, peaking at 23:07 UTC (6:07pm ET). The Solar Dynamics Observatory captured the moment in ultraviolet light. pic.twitter.com/2bVwIWInJR

— NASA Sun & Space (@NASASun) February 9, 2023

In addition, the Sun emitted 34 coronal mass ejections (CMEs) - large bursts of plasma and magnetic field that are expelled from the sun's corona - last week. When a CME strikes Earth, it can interact with its magnetic field and cause a disturbance that can affect power grids, satellites, and communication systems. CMEs can also produce beautiful auroras, also known as the Northern and Southern Lights, which occur when the charged particles in the CME interact with the Earth's magnetic field and the atmosphere.

NASA's SDO keeps an eye on the Sun all the time to help scientists study its behaviour in more detail. The observatory, launched in 2010, has enabled countless new discoveries.