NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

This X1.4 class flare was recorded by the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) on the morning of September 22, 2011. The movie is shown in multiple wavelengths of light simultaneously, each of which is typically colorized in a particular color – thus the multicolor image of the sun seen here. Across the top is a graph of the x-ray intensity during flare as recorded by the GOES spacecraft. Credit: NASA/SDO/LMSAL/GOES › Play/Download video › Download flare still › Download slinky still

A coronal mass ejection bursting off the left side of the sun. This image was captured by the SOlar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) at 6:05 PM ET on September 21, 2011. Credit: ESA/NASA/SOHO
› View larger A large coronal mass ejection (CME) shot off the West (right) side of the sun at 6:24 PM ET on September 21, 2011. The CME is moving away from Earth at about 900 miles per second.

The next morning, an X1.4 class flare erupted from the other side of the sun, peaking at 7:01 AM ET on September 22. The flare came from sunspot N15E88, which is just moving into view as the sun rotates. This flare has caused elevated proton levels on the East (left) side of the sun. Associated with this flare, there was a significant CME, traveling at over 600 miles per second, that began around 7:24 AM ET.

More information will be posted if needed.


What is a solar flare? What is a coronal mass ejection?

For answers to these and other space weather questions, please visit the Spaceweather Frequently Asked Questions page.


Karen C. Fox
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center