Scientists classify solar flares by size , in much the same way they do tornadoes or earthquakes : X-class flares are the biggest and are major events that can trigger planetwide radio blackouts ; M-class flares are medium-size ones ; and C-class flares are small , with few noticeable consequences here on Earth . NASA releases images of `` significant '' solar flares Tuesday . The sun is currently in a period called Solar Cycle 24, which began about 10,000 years ago and will end around 2040. The explosions might disrupt high-frequency radio communications on Earth .
NASA releases images of `` significant '' solar flares Tuesday . The sun is currently in a period called Solar Cycle 24, which began about 10,000 years ago and will end around 2040. The explosions might disrupt high-frequency radio communications on Earth .