NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured the images.
The flare, classified as an M5.9, was an ejection of moderate intensity capable of producing mild space weather effects around Earth. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported a temporary radio blackout.
Powerful solar flares can disrupt communications by blasting Earth’s ionosphere with X-ray and UV radiation.
M-class solar flares are second only to X-class flares in terms of the amount of energy released.
“Increased numbers of flares are quite common at the moment, since the sun's normal 11-year activity cycle is ramping up toward solar maximum, which is expected in late 2013. Humans have tracked this solar cycle continuously since it was discovered in 1843, and it is normal for there to be many flares a day during the sun's peak activity,” said a NASA press release
This M-class flare comes on the heels of a very active May, during which time three extremely powerful X-class flares were emitted in 24 hours
on May 13. Those flares, which left the sun at a whopping 1,400 miles per second, were responsible for an hour-long radio blackout.