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Sun Released a Strong X-class Solar Flare, Causing a Rare ‘Solar Tsunami’

Written by Reananda Hidayat Permono Completed Master of Science - MS, Petroleum Geology from Curtin University, Perth, Australia.

Solar Flare Cme Phenomenal GIF

Solar Flare Cme Phenomenal GIF

The sun released an X-class solar flare, the most potent energy sun can emit, that triggered a rare ‘solar tsunami’ across the sun’s surface.

The Sun Solar Flare GIF

The Sun Solar Flare GIF

It also released an intense burst of radiation that impacted radio blackouts on Earth.

Sun Sun Rays GIF

Sun Sun Rays GIF

Interestingly, a radio astronomer could capture the rare sound of the solar storm slamming the Earth’s atmosphere.

Sun Solar Flare GIF

Sun Solar Flare GIF

The spaceweather.com website recorded an X-class solar flare on Feb. 17.

Solar Flare GIF

Solar Flare GIF

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had forecasted a slight chance of an X-class solar flare on that day.

Solar Flare GIF

Solar Flare GIF

But it believed the threat would come from a large sunspot AR3226.

Solar Flare GIF

Solar Flare GIF

Hence, astronomers were caught off guard by the blast from a sunspot AR3229 instead, with a magnitude of 2.2.

The Sun Solar Storm GIF

The Sun Solar Storm GIF

A solar tsunami is a giant wave of hot plasma that can accelerate up to 901,000 km/h (560,000 mph) across the photosphere.

Erupción Solar... En El Sol GIF

Erupción Solar... En El Sol GIF

According to NASA, it can reach heights of 100,000 km (62,150 miles). The solar flare spat out a Type II solar radio burst that hit Earth shortly after the outburst.

The Sun Solar Flare GIF

The Sun Solar Flare GIF

There are five categories of solar radio bursts; Type V is the strongest, and Type I is the weakest.

Loop Plasma GIF

Loop Plasma GIF

The radiation caused minor radio blackouts across some parts of the Americas for an hour.

The Sun Solar Flare GIF

The Sun Solar Flare GIF

Solar flares are divided into classes of A, B, C, M, and X; each type is ten times more powerful than the previous one.

Burning Ball Fireball GIF

Burning Ball Fireball GIF

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Designed by Alexander Rabu

NASA Captures the Sun Releasing X-Class Solar Flare