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The Sun, during its solar maximum phase in 2024, emitted over 50 X-class solar flares—the most powerful category of solar flares. These intense bursts of energy, capable of disrupting satellites and communications on Earth, marked a highly active year for solar phenomena. According to reports, these flares varied in magnitude and impact, with the strongest measured at X9.0 on October 3. Below is a countdown of the ten most notable solar flares recorded this year.

February 9 – X3.38

A solar flare rated X3.38 was observed near the southwestern edge of the Sun. According to researchers, the full intensity might have been obscured due to its position. The flare showcased a “coronal wave,” with solar material visibly displaced across the Sun’s surface.

February 22 – X6.37

This flare, while registering an impressive X6.37, lacked Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and had limited effects beyond its intense X-ray emissions. Data from NASA highlighted its scientific importance despite its minimal impact.

May 6 – X4.52

An eruption from Active Region AR 13663 in the northern hemisphere occurred early in May. This flare, documented by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, did not produce Earth-directed CMEs, though it highlighted the active state of the Sun during this period.

May 10 – X3.98

From Active Region AR 13664, this solar flare produced a strong Earth-directed CME. Reports indicated it was part of a series of events that caused a G5 geomagnetic storm, leading to widespread auroras visible at unusually low latitudes.

May 11 – X5.89

Another eruption from AR 13664 occurred just a day later. This flare, part of a chain of CMEs, contributed to the extreme geomagnetic activity documented during this period. Its position on the solar limb reduced its direct impact on Earth.

May 14 – X8.79

A confined flare from AR 13664 produced strong X-ray emissions without a major eruption. Despite its physical size, its intensity ranked among the highest of the year, as confirmed by ESA and NASA observations.

May 15 – X3.48

The final X-class flare from AR 13664 during its rotation was recorded on May 15. Observations revealed that its intensity was partly obscured as the active region moved out of Earth’s view. ESA reports noted continued activity from this region even when it was no longer visible from Earth.

September 14 – X4.54

A strong CME directed over the Sun’s eastern limb accompanied this flare. Observers noted pixel saturation in images, a common occurrence in high-energy flares of this magnitude.

October 1 – X7.10

This flare originated from Active Region AR 13842. Despite its size, it did not produce significant geomagnetic storms. Experts observed that smaller flares from this active region later contributed to strong auroras seen worldwide.

October 3 – X9.0

The largest solar flare of 2024, and one of the strongest in recent years, was recorded at X9.0. As per data from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, it unleashed energy nine times the X-class threshold, cementing its place as a standout event of Solar Cycle 25.

The Sun’s activity continues to be closely monitored as solar maximum extends into 2025.

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Dead NASA Satellite Relay 2 May Have Caused Mysterious 2024 Radio Burst

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June 27, 2025

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Dead NASA Satellite Relay 2 May Have Caused Mysterious 2024 Radio Burst

In June 2024, scientists detected a mysterious, powerful burst of radio waves originating from within our galaxy. At first, they thought it was coming from a pulsar or another undiscovered cosmic object. However, an analysis revealed the origin of the signal was too close to the Earth. Astronomers think it was caused by a long-dead NASA satellite Relay 2, was launched in 1964 but ceased operations in 1967 after its communication systems failed. Yet, nearly 60 years later, it mysteriously emitted a powerful radio signal, the researchers said in a new preprint study, which was posted June 13 to the server arXiv and has not yet been peer-reviewed.

Relay 2: A Silent Satellite Sends a Loud Signal

According to the study, the signal was detected using the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) telescope array. These intense flashes typically originate from deep space and can carry more energy in milliseconds than the sun emits over several days.

But this signal, lasting just 30 nanoseconds, was traced back to the vicinity of Earth, too close for ASKAP to focus on clearly. After ruling out cosmic sources, the team traced the pulse to the orbit of Relay 2. Despite having no functioning systems, the satellite somehow emitted the brightest radio flash in the sky at that moment.

Researchers proposed two theories: a micrometeorite impact that created a radio-emitting plasma cloud, or an electrostatic discharge (ESD) caused by charge buildup on the satellite’s aging materials.

New Clues About Spacecraft Behavior and Space Debris

Though both mechanisms could produce similar signals, scientists lean toward electrostatic discharge as the likelier cause. According to space physicists, older spacecraft like Relay 2 may be especially prone to such energy releases due to outdated materials and limited shielding.

Karen Aplin told New Scientist that studying these accidental emissions could help monitor ESD events on today’s small satellites — many of which also lack advanced protection. In an increasingly crowded orbital environment, this detection method may offer a novel tool for evaluating space debris and satellite health.

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James Webb Telescope Captures First Direct Image of Saturn-Mass Exoplanet

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June 27, 2025

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James Webb Telescope Captures First Direct Image of Saturn-Mass Exoplanet

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has captured its first direct image of a newly discovered exoplanet. Astronomers announced that Webb imaged a Saturn-mass planet orbiting the nearby young star TWA 7. Dubbed TWA 7 b, the planet’s mass is only about 0.3 times that of Jupiter – roughly Saturn’s mass – making it the smallest planet ever seen via direct imaging. Most of the nearly 6,000 known exoplanets have been detected indirectly. To spot TWA 7 b, the JWST team used a coronagraph (like a solar eclipse) to block the star’s light and reveal the faint planet.

Detecting a Hidden World

According to the study published in the journal Nature, Webb’s team targeted TWA 7 because its dusty disk is viewed nearly face-on, revealing clear ring structures. They used Webb’s MIRI instrument with a coronagraph to mask the star’s glare. After processing the data, a faint infrared point source appeared roughly 1.5 arcseconds from TWA 7 (about 50 times the Earth–Sun distance).

This source lies in a gap of the star’s second dust ring. Its brightness and color match what theoretical models predict for a young, cold planet roughly Saturn’s mass. The object seems to be carving out the ring gap just as an orbiting planet would. Astronomers ruled out other explanations (like a background star) to confirm the signal is best explained by a planet.

A Step Toward Smaller Worlds

TWA 7 b’s Saturn-like mass makes it about ten times less massive than any exoplanet previously captured in a direct image. Its discovery shows that Webb can now image worlds far smaller than the giant exoplanets seen before. Scientists say the telescope may eventually detect planets as light as 10% of Jupiter’s mass, pushing toward Earth-like size.

This breakthrough “paves the way” to imaging truly terrestrial planets in the future. Astronomers even predict that upcoming observatories could dramatically increase the number of Earth-size planets seen by direct imaging. Next-generation telescopes – on the ground and in space – are being planned with even more powerful coronagraphs to hunt for the first directly photographed Earth analogues.

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James Webb Telescope Detects Methanol and Ethanol Near Young Stars, Hinting at Life’s Origins

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June 27, 2025

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James Webb Telescope Detects Methanol and Ethanol Near Young Stars, Hinting at Life’s Origins

In the recent research done by using the James Webb Telescope, in March 2024, scientists found that ethanol and other icy organic compounds near protostars IRAS 2A and IRAS 23385. The findings were published in the JOYS+ program. It can offer insights into the cosmic chemistry that can help in knowing the formation of the planet and the potential for life on it. This also suggests how the building blocks in life can travel in space. The scientists observed alcohol in the orbit of a young star, adding to the understanding of life on Earth.

Methanol and Its Isotopes Detected Around Star HD 100453

As per the recent study conducted by NASA’s JWST, Methanol and its isotopes have been found in gases around the star called HD 100453. It is about 330 light years away from our planet. It has been observed for the first time that scientists have found isotopes of methanol in the shape of a disk. This was reported on June 5, 2025, in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Methanol: A Building Block of Life

Methanol acts as a building block for organic compounds like amino acids, which are essential for life. Researchers had found that methanol, but not the rare isotopes, is star-forming structures. These isotopes of methanol give a valuable insight into the ingredients needed for building life on Earth.

HD 100453: A Star Bigger Than the Sun

HD 100453 is larger than the Sun, with more than 1.6 times the mass of the Sun. This signals that methanol and other molecules in the disk exist as gas and farther from the home star, which could be the case when the solar system was quite young. The smaller stars consist of cooler disks, and the molecules are frozen and undetectable.

Link Between Methanol and Comet Chemistry

The researchers found that the ratio of methanol to other organic molecules is similar to that of the comets in the solar system. The findings signal that the ices near the protoplanetary disks clump to form comets filled with organic molecules, which are the result of collisions. This research gives the idea that comets may have played a major role in offering important organic material to the Earth billions of years ago.

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