Watch the Sun’s X-Class Solar Flare: Stunning Video of Radio Blackouts Over the Pacific Ocean!

This past weekend closed with an exciting event from the sun. On Sunday, a sunspot named AR 4001 erupted, releasing a strong solar flare.

The flare peaked at 2:27 p.m. EST (1927 GMT) and registered as an X2.0—a powerful classification on the solar flare scale. Because of this flare, parts of the Pacific Ocean experienced a shortwave radio blackout. This type of blackout happens when high-frequency radio signals are significantly disrupted due to the intense ultraviolet radiation produced by the flare.

Solar flares are categorized into four classes: X, M, C, and B. X-class flares are the most powerful. Each class increases in strength by ten times, which means an X2.0 flare has significantly more energy than M or C class flares.

This solar event triggered a radio blackout rated R3, which is considered “Strong” on the NOAA Space Weather Scale. This scale helps predict how solar activity impacts Earth, with R5 representing the most extreme conditions.

NOAA scientists noted in their forecast that the X2.0 flare did not produce a coronal mass ejection (CME) aimed at Earth. However, observers noted impressive views of the plasma being expelled into space. CMEs can create geomagnetic storms if they head toward our planet, potentially affecting power grids and creating beautiful auroras in the Earth’s atmosphere.

Even though no significant CME resulted from this flare, forecasters are keeping a watchful eye on the sun for more solar events. They believe there is a slight chance for similar flares to happen throughout the week.