National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Goddard Space Flight Center
Sun-Earth Day 2009: Our Sun Yours to Discover
IMAGE GALLERY
- TRACE
Active Region 9415 on 10 April 2001 at 06:00 UT in 171Å (characteristic of emission from gas at 1 million Kelvin). The field of view is 232,000 by 174,000 km; the image was rotated over +120 degrees. These loops are the result of an X2.3 flare that started at 05:06 UT. The flare showed a classic double ribbon structure. As the ribbons spread apart with time the post-flare arcade of cooling, draining loops was formed, expanding with time
NASA Fact
A major solar 'superstorm' such as the one in 1859 could cost $30 billion a day to the US electrical power grid, and up to $70 billion to the satellite industry.