The Sun emitted a powerful X1.1 solar flare on Monday, Russian scientists reported. The flare was recorded at 08:01 Moscow time (0501 GMT) and lasted about 15 minutes, according to the Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Researchers described the flare as short and impulsive, making it unlikely to generate a significant plasma ejection toward Earth. Early images showed some material moving upward, but experts said the probability of impact from the observed angle is very low.
Further analysis is underway to determine whether any plasma was expelled and in which direction it may be traveling.
Solar flares, classified by their peak X-ray brightness into A, B, C, M, and X levels, are the most powerful bursts of energy from the Sun. Such events can disrupt radio communications, power grids, navigation signals, and pose risks to spacecraft and astronauts.