14 DAY TRIAL // As an additional testimony that the Sun is nearing a peak in its 11-year cycle, a new X-class solar flare erupted from its surface on January 27, 2012. The X class represents the most powerful instance of such an event, which usually produces vast amounts of charged particles.
At this point, there is no word from NASA as to whether the cloud of particles released by the ensuing coronal mass ejection is heading towards our planet or not. If that is the case, we may expect to see it affecting power grids and some poorly-shielded satellites. Brighter auroras are also to be expected.
The event was first identified by the JAXA Hinode spacecraft, a mission conducted by Japan with American and UK collaborators. The probe measured plasma temperatures exceeding 8 million degrees during the event.
Keep an eye on this space for upgrades on how the flare will affect our planet.