Uploaded November 2021 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
On Oct. 28, 2021, NOAA’s GOES East satellite observed a strong solar flare with its Solar Ultraviolet Imager (SUVI) at 11:35 am ET. The flare produced aurora (northern lights) that were visible across Canada and as far south as Pennsylvania, Iowa, and Oregon. The JPSS satellites were able to capture imagery of these aurora via their VIIRS instrument, showing their extent.
Solar flares—an important type of space weather—are localized, explosive outbursts on the Sun, and can generate intense radiation in the form of X-rays and energetic particles that can sometimes affect Earth. Because this radiation often travels at or near the speed of light, it can reach the Earth within about 8 minutes. Flares are often linked to eruptions, called coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which hurl massive clouds of magnetized plasma far into space, plowing right through the continuous flow of charged particles that normally stream from the Sun, called solar wind, and can reach Earth in up to three days.
NOAA satellites help monitor the activity of the Sun and when solar flares, or coronal mass ejections occur. Since these events can happen unpredictably and some can reach Earth within minutes, NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center uses this information to monitor the activity on the Sun and makes forecasts, predictions, and alerts.
Read more:
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Credits:
NOAA
NASA
CIRA
SUVI imagery courtesy of CIRES and additional imagery provided by CIMSS.
Music:
“Solar Swells,” by Jason Steele [ASCAP]; Universal Production Music
On Oct. 28, 2021, NOAA’s GOES East satellite observed a strong solar flare with its Solar Ultraviolet Imager (SUVI) at 11:35 am ET. The flare produced aurora (northern lights) that were visible across Canada and as far south as Pennsylvania, Iowa, and Oregon. The JPSS satellites were able to capture imagery of these aurora via their VIIRS instrument, showing their extent.
Solar flares—an important type of space weather—are localized, explosive outbursts on the Sun, and can generate intense radiation in the form of X-rays and energetic particles that can sometimes affect Earth. Because this radiation often travels at or near the speed of light, it can reach the Earth within about 8 minutes. Flares are often linked to eruptions, called coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which hurl massive clouds of magnetized plasma far into space, plowing right through the continuous flow of charged particles that normally stream from the Sun, called solar wind, and can reach Earth in up to three days.
NOAA satellites help monitor the activity of the Sun and when solar flares, or coronal mass ejections occur. Since these events can happen unpredictably and some can reach Earth within minutes, NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center uses this information to monitor the activity on the Sun and makes forecasts, predictions, and alerts.
Read more:
*
*
Credits:
NOAA
NASA
CIRA
SUVI imagery courtesy of CIRES and additional imagery provided by CIMSS.
Music:
“Solar Swells,” by Jason Steele [ASCAP]; Universal Production Music
