NASA has released a new video that shows spectacular views of solar flares rising from the sun from a spacecraft. It was captured by a NASA spacecraft, just before Halloween.
NASA's Solar Dynamics Orbiter captured the video. It shows stunning close-ups of solar flares exploding off the sun between Monday (Oct. 25–28), and ending with a major X1 class solar storm that could amplify Earth's northern light displays over Halloween weekend.
NASA officials stated in a video that the sun cast a spell on us just in time for Halloween.
Similar: The sun's fury: Worst solar storms ever recorded
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured the stunning image of a powerful X1 eruption from the sun on October 28, 2021. Image credit NASA/GSFC/SDO
Are you able to see the northern lights? If you take a photograph of the Halloween northern lights from the solar flare, send images and comments in to spacephotos@space.com.
NASA officials stated that the video starts with a series solar eruptions from Monday's active region of the sun. They described the sequence as "flickered" with small flares and petal-like solar material eruptions.
Even more impressive was the X1 sunspot solar flare. It exploded from a sunspot at the lower center, facing directly towards the Earth. The strongest types of solar storms that the sun can create are those of the X-class type.
NASA officials stated in the video that solar flares are powerful, intense bursts radiation. Although harmful radiation from a flare can't pass through Earth’s atmosphere to affect people on the ground, they can disrupt the atmosphere in the layer that GPS and communications signals travel.
Solar Dynamics Orbiter is one of many spacecraft that continuously monitor the sun's weather to spot such storms.
Thursday's solar flare was accompanied with a radiation storm, a huge eruption of solar material called a coronal Mass ejection that sent charged solar particles outward at more than 2.5 million mph (4,000,000 kph). These particles will reach Earth by Saturday and could charge the planet's auroras (also known as the northern or southern lights).
The auroras on Earth are caused by charged particles from the sun interacting with the upper atmosphere. This creates an ethereal glow. These particles are typically visible at northern latitudes of our hemisphere because the Earth's magnetic field funnels them toward polar regions.
NASA scientists believe that the extra particles from Thursday's solar tornado could magnify the auroras, making them visible from farther south.
If you live in a city, it can be hard to see auroras. Light pollution can make them dimming.
Check out our guides to how to capture auroras with your camera. We also have tips on the best equipment to use for photography the aurora and how to edit photos once you have them.
Camera gear is essential. Check out our top astrophotography cameras and best astrophotography lenses.
Editor's Note: Let us know if you take a stunning photo of the northern light this weekend. You can send images and comments in to spacephotos@space.com.
Tariq Malik can be reached at tmalik@space.com, or on Twitter @tariqjmalik. Follow us @Spacedotcom on Facebook and Instagram.
