Today’s Current Affairs: Sun Produces Biggest Flare in Nearly Two Decades
The sun unleashed its largest flare in almost 20 years, following a series of severe solar storms that recently hit Earth. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration confirmed that this flare is the most powerful of the current 11-year solar cycle. Luckily, Earth is not in the direct path of this flare as it erupted on the side of the sun facing away from our planet. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured the intense X-ray flare, which was rated as an X8.7 on the scale for solar flares. This event comes after a week of solar activity that caused disruptions to power and communications systems on Earth and in space. Despite some minor impacts, such as a satellite going into safe mode and astronauts on the International Space Station seeking shelter, no significant dangers were reported. The space weather continues to be monitored for any further developments.
## What is the biggest flare of this 11-year solar cycle?
– A. X7.3
– B. X8.7
– C. X9.5
– D. X10.2
Answer: B. X8.7
## Where did the flare erupt on the sun?
– A. Facing Earth
– B. Rotating towards Earth
– C. Rotating away from Earth
– D. On the dark side of the sun
Answer: C. Rotating away from Earth
## What caused one of NASA’s environmental satellites to go into safe mode?
– A. Solar flare
– B. Mass ejection
– C. Geomagnetic storm
– D. Radiation shielding
Answer: C. Geomagnetic storm
## How many astronauts were advised to stay in areas with strong radiation shielding at the International Space Station?
– A. Five
– B. Six
– C. Seven
– D. Eight
Answer: C. Seven
What happened on Tuesday in relation to the sun?
The sun produced its biggest flare in nearly two decades on Tuesday.
What did the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announce?
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced that Earth should be out of the line of fire from the solar flare because it erupted on a part of the sun rotating away from Earth.
What did NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory capture?
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured the bright flash of the X-ray flare, which was the strongest since 2005, rated as X8.7 on the scale for these flares.
What did Bryan Brasher at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center say about the flare?
Bryan Brasher said that the flare may turn out to have been even stronger when scientists gather data from other sources.
What impact did the solar storms have on Earth and in orbit?
The solar storms threatened to disrupt power and communications on Earth and in orbit, causing an environmental satellite to go into protective hibernation and advising astronauts on the International Space Station to stay in areas with strong radiation shielding.
Today's current affairs are buzzing with news of the sun producing its biggest flare in nearly two decades. Just days after severe solar storms hit Earth, creating stunning northern lights in unexpected places, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced that the sun is not done yet. This flare is the biggest of the 11-year solar cycle, which is nearing its peak. The good news is that Earth is not in the direct path of this flare, as it erupted on a part of the sun facing away from our planet. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured the bright flash of the X-ray flare, the strongest since 2005. The weekend geomagnetic storm caused disruptions, with one of NASA's satellites going into protective hibernation and the International Space Station crew advised to stay in shielded areas.
