Sun Produces Sparkling Flare on May 19, 2022

  • Released Thursday, May 26, 2022
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Video of the May 19th M5.6 solar flare captured by SDO in 171 angstrom light. This view shows the full solar disk and an inset focusing on the region where the flare occured.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

On May 19, 2022 the Sun emitted a magnitude M5.6 flare that peaked at 3:19 EDT. This flare was unusual in that it was not a single, bright burst from one location, but a series of smaller flashes from all over a bright active region. The Solar Dynamics Observatory captured the event in extreme ultraviolet light which reveals the delicate structure of the Sun's lower atmosphere, called the corona. The sparkling flares are followed by brilliant loops of hot plasma, which "sticks" to the Sun's magnetic fields.

Video of the May 19th M5.6 solar flare captured by SDO in 171 angstrom light. This clip begins with a close view of the Sun with the edge, or limb, for context and then cuts to an even closer view of the flaring reging to reveal all the fine detail.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

Still of the May 19th M5.6 solar flare captured by SDO in 171 angstrom light. This view shows the full solar disk and an inset focusing on the region where the flare occured.Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

Still of the May 19th M5.6 solar flare captured by SDO in 171 angstrom light. This view shows the full solar disk and an inset focusing on the region where the flare occured.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

Animated GIF of the May 19th M5.6 solar flare captured by SDO in 171 angstrom light. Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

Animated GIF of the May 19th M5.6 solar flare captured by SDO in 171 angstrom light.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

4k frame sequence and video of an M5.6 class solar flare on May 19, 2022. This sequence was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory with 36-second imaging cadence and shows light in the 131 angstrom wavelength.

Credit: NASA/SDO

4k frame sequence and video of an M5.6 class solar flare on May 19, 2022. This sequence was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory with 36-second imaging cadence and shows light in the 131 angstrom wavelength.

Credit: NASA/SDO

Credits

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. However, individual items should be credited as indicated above.

This page was originally published on Thursday, May 26, 2022.
This page was last updated on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 11:44 AM EDT.

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