After NASA released a stunning image of a solar flare this week, space enthusiasts were on alert.
On Wednesday morning, NASA officials detected a powerful solar flare emanating from the Sun.
The solar flare peaked at 7:28 a.m. ET, as observed by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, officials said.
What is a solar flare?
It is part of a solar storm - an explosion of particles, energy, magnetic fields and matter ejected by the Sun into the Solar System.
An image released by NASA shows small areas of the Sun appearing to suddenly flare into much brighter light, followed by the appearance of soaring magnetic waves of energy.
This solar event is classified as an X1.0 flare, where class X denotes the most intense flares.
The smallest solar flares are classified as class B, followed by classes C, M and X, which is the largest.
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Solar storms occur when the Sun creates a tangled tangle of magnetic fields, like disheveled hair after a long night's sleep.
According to NASA, solar flares are powerful bursts of energy that can interfere with radio communications, power grids, navigation signals, and pose a hazard to spacecraft and astronauts.
Despite this, they do not directly harm anyone on Earth.
NASA began preparations for the Artemis III mission with the launch of the launch vehicle.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the most powerful solar event on record occurred on September 1, 1859.
Original source of the article: Watch: Powerful solar flare captured on camera emanating from the Sun.