Scientists have observed the first solar flare of 2015, which is classified as a mid-level, or M-level, flare.
Solar flares occur when the magnetic energy trapped in the solar atmosphere is released very suddenly.
The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) has released images of the first solar flare of this year, which is relatively mild in comparison to some of the previous solar flares observed by the space agency.
NASA revealed that the latest M-level solar flare peaked at 11:24 p.m. EST on Monday, Jan. 12. The SDO, which was launched in February 2010, is designed to study the fluctuations in the magnetic field of the sun and the resultant solar weather; it has also taken some images of the latest flare.
Scientists explain that even though solar flares emit harmful radiation, they cannot pass through the Earth's atmosphere and affect humans on the ground. However, intense solar flares can temporarily alter the upper atmosphere of the Earth, which can disrupt the transmission of signals from GPS satellites and cause communication problems.
Cell phones, airplane communications and weather information signaling systems, among others, may be affected due to intense solar flares.
"This flare is classified as an M5.6-class flare. M-class flares are a tenth the size of the most intense flares, the X-class flares. The number provides more information about its strength. An M2 is twice as intense as an M1, an M3 is three times as intense, et cetera," reported NASA.
NASA observed the strongest solar flare on Nov. 4, 2003. The flare was so intense that it was recorded at the highest on the recording sensors. NASA said that the highest measurement it can record is X17, and calculation of the flares determined the strongest flare to be of X45 class.
The latest M-level solar flare is relatively mild, and scientists suggest that it may just cause short-term radio blackouts at the poles. M-level solar flares can, however, be hazardous to astronauts orbiting in space.
The year has just started and more solar flares will be observed in the coming months. The communication industry might find itself wishing that any upcoming flares would not be very intense so that they would not damage communication satellites and signals.
