NASA Spots First X-Class Solar Flare Of 2013

This past Sunday, NASA confirmed it has seen the first X-class solar flare of 2013. According to a report, the flare has been classified as an X1.7, and was caused by a coronal mass ejection that shoots solar material into space.

Flares occur when magnetic fields holding energy on the sun is suddenly and violently released. These flares can heat material to millions of degrees, and generate a huge burst of radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum.

Solar flares are categorized based on their brightness in the x-ray wavelengths. C-class flares are the smallest, and generally do not effect Earth very much. M-class are medium sized flares, and can cause brief radio blackouts on Earth's polar regions. X-class flares are the largest, and can cause radio blackouts and radiation storms in the upper atmosphere. Luckily, the past weekend's flare was not directed at Earth. The flare was measured at X1.7, which is on the weaker end of X-class flares as well.

NASA reports that the flare originated in a region out of view on the left side of the sun. Two M-class flares have also recently erupted from that region. These can be dangerous as they explode with up to ten billion tons of matter being projected out at millions of miles per hour.

NASA's research models show that the coronal mass ejection left the sun at approximately 745 miles per second. The material may pass near the STEREO-B and Spitzer spacecraft, and operators have already been notified so they can take the necessary precautions.

Scientists report that the sun's usual 11 year activity cycle is increasing towards its maximum, which is expected to happen sometime this year. Until then, solar flares will be more frequent.

The largest X-class flare this cycle was an X6.9 that occurred on August 9, 2011.