Sun unleashes massive X1.1 solar flare to close out 2024 (photo)

Sun's X1.1 solar flare marks the year's end with potential aurora impacts.

: An X1.1 solar flare erupted from the sun on Dec. 29, 2024, creating a strong radio blackout on Earth. This powerful solar event, monitored by NOAA's GOES-16 satellite, may be one of the year's last significant solar flares. Officials are assessing any potential coronal mass ejection and its effects on Earth's auroras and infrastructure. The most significant flare of the year was an X9 on Oct. 3.

On December 29, 2024, the sun emitted a powerful X1.1 solar flare, one of the strongest types of solar explosions. The flare, which erupted from the northwest area of the Earth-facing side of the sun, caused a significant radio blackout on parts of Earth. Experts from NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center are analyzing data to determine if a coronal mass ejection, or CME, was associated with this flare. If a CME is confirmed, it could potentially amplify aurora displays and affect satellite operations and power infrastructure on Earth.

This recent X1.1 flare was a prominent space weather event observed by NOAA's GOES-16 satellite, underscoring the sun's intense activity as 2024 comes to a close. GOES-16 is part of a joint NOAA and NASA effort to continuously monitor the sun for solar flares and similar space weather phenomena. Although the X1.1 flare was among the year's most powerful, it wasn't the largest of 2024. An X9 flare that occurred on October 3 took that distinction, noted as the third-largest solar flare since 2011 and the fifth since 2005.

As the solar cycle progresses, NOAA’s SWPC continues to track space weather activities to understand potential impacts on Earth. Observing and analyzing such solar events are crucial to forecasting and preparing for possible disruptions caused by space weather. The continued vigilance of space weather centers ensures timely information on how these solar phenomena could impact technology and natural displays on Earth, particularly with picturesque aurora activities that may delight New Year's Eve revelers.

Solar FlareSpace Weatherastronomy