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by Ninjaneered 1101 days ago
I'm having trouble identifying the flare. The article says it's a bright flash in the lower left, I do see a small eruption in the bright spot towards the end of the loop, but it doesn't seem drastic. The article also says it happens at 1:09 p.m. EDT which I think is 17:09 UT (the loops time) and which seems to line up with the eruption.

I know that "small" eruption can probably fit several Earths, I just assumed it would be larger/brighter for some reason.

2 comments

I don't think it's feasible for it to be much bigger. Otherwise, wouldn't change the trajectory of the sun? Or maybe change the mass of the sun significantly that it pushes us out of or orbit?
There is a large, very visible shining crack on the lower left. I assume it's the source of the flare.

I suspect it's not very easy to see a flare when it's directed right at you. I assume the video is from a telescope close to Earth, so it's not showing us the ejection from a side, which would make it more visible.

SDO is in a circular, geosynchronous orbit at an altitude of 35,789 km (22,238 mi), at 102° West longitude, inclined at 28.5° [ so says wikipedia]

The image over at spaceweather helps identify the location of the flare https://www.spaceweather.gov/news/region-3341-produces-x11-f...