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NASA captures significant solar flare

The flare is classified as an X8.2-class flare denoting the most intense flares and is the capstone of a series of flares from Active Region 2673.

By Amy Wallace
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare -- as seen in the bright flash on the right side -- on Sept. 10. The image shows a combination of wavelengths of extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the extremely hot material in flares, which has then been colorized. Photo by NASA/SDO/Goddard
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare -- as seen in the bright flash on the right side -- on Sept. 10. The image shows a combination of wavelengths of extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the extremely hot material in flares, which has then been colorized. Photo by NASA/SDO/Goddard

Sept. 11 (UPI) -- NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured dramatic images of a significant solar flare that peaked at 12:06 p.m. EDT Sunday.

The space agency's Solar Dynamics Observatory watches the sun on a constant basis and captured the significant solar flare classified as X8.2-class.

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X-class identifies the most intense solar flares and the number provides additional information about its strength. For example, an X2 is twice as strong as an X1 and an X3 is three times as intense.

Solar flares are powerful bursts of radiation released from the sun, however, harmful radiation cannot pass through the Earth's atmosphere to cause any physical affects to humans.

Intense solar flares can however disrupt GPS and communications signals.

NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center predicted that X8.2 would impact HF radio with wide area blackouts and impacts on low-frequency communication degraded for an hour.

The X8, 2-class flare is the capstone of a series of flares from Active Region 2673, which was first identified on Aug. 29 and is rotating from the front of the sun.

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