A major release of intense solar flare from the Sun, which created a dazzling spectacle, was captured in detail by a NASA solar observatory.
In the video which was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory during an M-class solar flare, a huge plasma plume was seen rising from the surface of the sun, however, only to go back in an apparent "failed eruption".
Taking to X, solar astrophysicist Ryan French wrote about the event, "A gorgeous #SolarFlare on the Sun today!
No northern lights with this solar flareSince there was less eruptive material during the M-class solar flare, hence there were no chances of the appearance of northern lights.
Watch: Sun launches strongest Solar flare of its current 11-year cycle However, the apparent "reeling in" of solar material noticed in the NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory footage showed no such eruption occurred.
A major release of intense solar flare from the Sun, which created a dazzling spectacle, was captured in detail by a NASA solar observatory.
However, when the eruption was closely observed, it appeared that a lot of solar material in the vast plasma plume had not been able to escape the grasp of the sun and the explosion turned into a failure.
In the video which was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory during an M-class solar flare, a huge plasma plume was seen rising from the surface of the sun, however, only to go back in an apparent "failed eruption".
Taking to X, solar astrophysicist Ryan French wrote about the event, "A gorgeous #SolarFlare on the Sun today! Just look at how the falling plasma impacts and flows down the magnetic field - physics in action." It looks like nearly all of the plasma associated with the M4 flare eruption fell back into the Sun and was reabsorbed with just a small puff appearing in coronagraph imagery. 🥱👎🏻 pic.twitter.com/fYZ1kaxnI1 — ☀️ Sara Housseal ☀️ (@SNHWx) June 3, 2024 × "As further data becomes available, it looks like this event is a prime example of a 'failed eruption'! Material attempted to leave the Sun, but didn't quite escape." French added. A gorgeous #SolarFlare on the Sun today! Just look at how the falling plasma impacts and flows down the magnetic field - physics in action. #astronomy pic.twitter.com/1YAG9YHCSg — Dr. Ryan French (@RyanJFrench) June 3, 2024 × Solar flares refer to the bursts of electromagnetic radiation which were released from the surface of the sun.
As per Spaceweather.com, electromagnetic radiation has been divided into different classes, which range from 1-10 (and beyond for X-class flares).
No northern lights with this solar flare
Since there was less eruptive material during the M-class solar flare, hence there were no chances of the appearance of northern lights.
Such solar eruptions can at times lead to impressive aurora across the world. On June 3, such powerful solar flares can be accompanied by a coronal mass ejection (CME), which is the release of plasma and magnetic field from the surface of the sun.
When Earth is hit by the CMEs, they can lead to geomagnetic storms which can create dynamic aurora that displays beyond their usual polar limits.
Watch: Sun launches strongest Solar flare of its current 11-year cycle However, the apparent "reeling in" of solar material noticed in the NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory footage showed no such eruption occurred.
"It looks like nearly all of the plasma associated with the M4 flare eruption fell back into the Sun and was reabsorbed with just a small puff appearing in coronagraph imagery," said space weather forecaster and meteorologist Sara Housseal, in a post on X.
"Just 4 CMEs detected by SOHO today. They seem to be very obscure ones - hard to see in the data shown here. They seem barely more than "puffs"!" physicist Keith Strong wrote on X post on June 3.
(With inputs from agencies)
