The Sun is well-known for providing energy and light to our entire planet. Life on Earth wouldn’t be possible without the Sun, mainly because the oxygen is created by plants due to our star’s everlasting activity. But despite all of these undoubtful aspects, the Sun also has a dark side that we surely wouldn’t want to see.
According to Space.com, a major solar flare was ejected by the Sun. The outburst occurred from an Earth-facing sunspot, and it could mark the opportunity for the Sun to “celebrate” Halloween in its own terrifying style.
The most powerful type of solar flare was ejected
The solar flare thrown by our star is of X1-class type, meaning the most powerful type of solar flare. The eruption occurred on Thursday, October 28, and peaked at 11:35 a.m. EDT (1535 GMT). NASA confirmed that the event could be classified as a significant solar flare.
POW! The Sun just served up a powerful flare! ☀️ 💥
At 11:35 a.m. EDT today, a powerful X1-class solar flare erupted from the Sun. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory caught it all on camera. 📸
More on our Solar Cycle 25 blog: https://t.co/L5yS3hJRTx pic.twitter.com/iTwZZ7tCOY
— NASA Sun & Space (@NASASun) October 28, 2021
Therefore, there’s no wonder that the solar flare ejected caused a radio blackout on the sunlit side of Earth and centered on South America.
A coronal mass ejection could cause some trouble for Halloween
Not even our beloved Sun will miss this year’s Halloween, as it will surely be terrifying. The solar flare in question might have triggered a coronal mass ejection that has Earth in its trajectory just in time for Halloween, on October 30 and 31. The ejection has the potential of interfering with satellite-based communications.
NASA explained as it appears on its official website:
X-class denotes the most intense flares, while the number provides more information about its strength,
An X2 is twice as intense as an X1, an X3 is three times as intense, etc. Flares that are classified X10 or stronger are considered unusually intense.
Feel free to tell us your own opinion about the news and if you’re celebrating Halloween!
