A strong flare that has been described as a 'strong radio blackout' event erupted from the Sun at 20:46 UTC (21:46 BST) on 7 August 2023,
The flare was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, which is an Earth-orbiting space telescope whose primary mission is to observe and study our host star.
The flare is described as an X1.5 flare, X-class indicating it is one of the most extreme kinds of flares that erupt from the Sun, and the following number indicating its strength.
Solar flares are powerful, intense bursts of energy that come about as a result of the release of magnetic energy from the surface of the Sun.
They appear as bright flashes on the solar surface and can last minutes or even hours
Solar flares can have a detrimental effect on radio communications, navigation equipment and electric power grids.
They can even pose a threat to orbiting spacecraft and astronauts currently working on board the International Space Station.
According to the US Space Weather Prediction Center, the type of flare seen on 7 August could have caused radio communication degradation or a complete loss of communication on the sunlit side of our planet.
Solar activity in the form of flares, sunspots and other dynamic surface features has been increasing over the past few months, as we approach the peak of the natural 11-year cycle known as the Solar Cycle.
