Solar Fury Unleashed: Twin X-Class Flares Light Up the Sky

The Sun emitted two intense solar flares, with the first peaking at 9:41 p.m. ET on May 7, 2024, and the second peaking at 1:09 a.m. ET on May 8, 2024. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, which watches the Sun constantly, captured images of these events.

Solar flares are intense bursts of energy that can disrupt radio communications, electric power grids, and navigation signals. They also pose risks to spacecraft and astronauts. Both of the recent flares were categorized as X1.0, indicating their significant intensity. The ‘X-class’ label is used for the most intense flares, and the accompanying number describes their strength in more detail.