The sun unleashed two colossal solar flares within seven hours of each other this week, triggering radio blackouts across parts of Earth.
Solar flares are strong, powerful explosions of energy that have the potential to wreak havoc on radio communications, electric power grids and navigation signals — and can pose potential risks to spacecraft and astronauts.
The superheated fireworks-like display, first commencing on April 23, was captured in striking imagery by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
The first “intense” flare peaked at 9:07 p.m. ET on April 23, with the second following seven hours later at 4:13 a.m. ET April 24, according to NASA.
The flares both clocked in at an X-class ranking, the most intense classification — coming in at a whopping X2.4 and X2.5, respectively.
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory observes our solar system’s light source constantly and captured dramatic images of the most recent superheated fireworks display.
The stunning images show a subset of extreme ultraviolet light, highlighting extremely hot material in flares — colorized in gold and blue in the first flare, and teal in the second.
The explosions of energy were so impactful that they knocked out radio signals across the dayside of Earth, impacting the Pacific Ocean and Australia, followed by East Asia, Space.com reported.
The X-flares appear to have been accompanied by large explosions of plasma and magnetic fields from the sun, known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
While the CMEs sound dramatic and potentially destructive, it is unlikely that they are heading directly toward Earth due to the sunspot’s position on the sun’s western edge.
However, forecasters are still observing and predicting the CME paths, and a glancing blow remains possible, according to Space.com.
If that were to occur, geomagnetic storm conditions and vivid aurora displays could be triggered.
According to solar physicist Ryan French, the April flares are the strongest emitted solar flares in 78 days, the outlet reported.
In early February, four powerful solar flares were unleashed by the sun — including one of the strongest sunbursts in three decades, The Post previously reported.
One of the celestial quartet flares was a radiant X8.1 flare — the most powerful since October 2024 and amongst the top 20 since 1996.
The X8.1 flare in February also caused strong radio blackouts throughout the South Pacific.
Even from millions of miles away, the sun still manages to make its presence felt.
