On Feb. 4, our Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), which watches the Sun constantly, captured this image of the Sun emitting a powerful burst of energy called a solar flare. Solar flares happen when the Sun’s magnetic fields build up tension and explosively readjust, like the sudden release of a twisted rubber band, in a process called magnetic reconnection. This process creates solar flares as well as other kinds of solar eruptions.⁣ Solar flares are rated into different classes based on their energy output, and the effect a flare will have on Earth depends on what class it is. This flare is classified as an X4.2 flare. X-class denotes the most intense flares, while the number provides more information about its strength.⁣ Flares only affect Earth when they occur on the side of the Sun facing Earth. In addition, flares aren’t directly harmful to us, thanks to our home planet’s atmosphere. However, the radiation linked to flares can be harmful to astronauts outside of Earth’s atmospher...