Talk about a heated situation.<\/p>\n
The sun unleashed two colossal solar flares within seven hours of each other this week, triggering radio blackouts across parts of Earth.<\/p>\n
Solar flares are strong, powerful explosions of energy that have the potential to wreak havoc on radio communications, electric power grids and navigation signals \u2014 and can pose potential risks to spacecraft and astronauts.<\/p>\n
The superheated fireworks-like display, first commencing on April 23, was captured in striking imagery by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).<\/p>\n
The first \u201cintense\u201d 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n NASA captured stunning images of this week\u2019s X-class solar flares. The first flare (left) peaked on April 23, with the second (right) following seven hours later in the early hours of April 24. NASA\/SDO<\/p>\n The flares both clocked in at an X-class ranking, the most intense classification \u2014 coming in at a whopping X2.4 and X2.5, respectively.<\/p>\n NASA\u2019s Solar Dynamics Observatory observes our solar system\u2019s light source constantly and captured dramatic images of the most recent superheated fireworks display.<\/p>\n The stunning images show a subset of extreme ultraviolet light, highlighting extremely hot material in flares \u2014 colorized in gold and blue in the first flare, and teal in the second.\u00a0<\/p>\n 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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).<\/p>\n While the CMEs sound dramatic and potentially destructive, it is unlikely that they are heading directly toward Earth due to the sunspot\u2019s position on the sun\u2019s western edge.\u00a0<\/p>\n Solar flares are intense, powerful explosions of energy that have the potential to wreak havoc on radio communications, electric power grids and navigation signals \u2014 and can pose potential risks to spacecraft and astronauts. NASA<\/p>\n However, forecasters are still observing and predicting the CME paths, and a glancing blow remains possible, according to Space.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n If that were to occur, geomagnetic storm conditions and vivid aurora displays could be triggered.<\/p>\n According to solar physicist Ryan French, the April flares are the strongest emitted solar flares in 78 days, the outlet reported.\u00a0<\/p>\n