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Solar Flare Eruption Covers Half The Sun (PHOTO)

First Posted: 06/08/11 09:19 AM ET   Updated: 08/08/11 06:12 AM ET

(AP/THE HUFFINGTON POST) GREENBELT, Md. -- A medium-sized solar flare has erupted from the sun in an impressive display captured by NASA cameras. Scientists say that the event won't have a significant impact on Earth.

NASA says the flare peaked Tuesday and created a large cloud that appeared to cover almost half the surface of the sun. Images were recorded by the orbiting satellite called the Solar Dynamics Observatory.

A news release says solar energy released by the event should deliver a "glancing blow" to Earth's magnetic field on Wednesday or Thursday.

But it's not expected to cause a major impact here. The National Weather Service is predicting minor effects on satellites and weak impacts on some power grids.

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(AP/THE HUFFINGTON POST) GREENBELT, Md. -- A medium-sized solar flare has erupted from the sun in an impressive display captured by NASA cameras. Scientists say that the event won't have a significant...
(AP/THE HUFFINGTON POST) GREENBELT, Md. -- A medium-sized solar flare has erupted from the sun in an impressive display captured by NASA cameras. Scientists say that the event won't have a significant...
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imonlyhereforthelaughs
271 Fans
12:42 PM on 06/09/2011
You thought the tsunami that hit Japan was big...wait until Fukushima get rocked by this solar flare...
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
CarlIII
Liberal Virginian living in Remlap Alabama
966 Fans
08:11 PM on 06/08/2011
That's a MEDIUM solar flare? I've never seen a solar flare anywhere that large. Are they kidding? That looked like a 100 earths size matter ejection. That is huge.
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Shannon Ware
38 Fans
 
05:47 PM on 06/08/2011
That's my Sun. I'm very proud of you Sun. It is important to get noticed, *these days*. My Mayan Calendar says your're about due for a reset, doesn't it?
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Aimee Bellefleur Hogan
I'm still here. Is that micro enough?
521 Fans
05:42 PM on 06/08/2011
Wow! What an amazing picture!
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cuoi
The obstacle is the path
792 Fans
11:28 AM on 06/08/2011
"the flare peaked Tuesday and created a large cloud" Well, well, well. Another rainy day on the sun? There is hydrogen and oxygen there, among a bunch of other elements.
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palindrom
472 Fans
09:38 PM on 06/08/2011
Somehow, I don't think that a lot of water will form at those temperatures. The technical term is "wicked hot ...".
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