Millions of people across the United States, Canada, and Mexico were left in awe as they witnessed a rare total solar eclipse on Monday. The path of totality, where the Moon completely obscured the Sun, created a frenzy and captivated the eyes of onlookers. Adding to the spectacle, many individuals reported observing solar flares during the eclipse, a truly mesmerizing phenomenon.

Images posted on social media captured the breathtaking sight of solar flares preceding the total eclipse, taken by weather photographer John White. These images showcased the remarkable protruding solar flares, clearly displaying their immense size. According to White, the sheer magnitude of these solar flares was so immense that "you can put 100's of Earths into one of those!"

The occurrence of solar flares during this total eclipse was particularly notable as it coincided with the Sun's "solar maximum," the peak of its 11-year solar cycle. During this phase, the Sun produces an increased number of solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which are massive plasma bubbles containing magnetic field lines.

As described by the European Space Agency, solar flares are massive explosions that result from the abrupt release of energy trapped in twisted magnetic fields, often found above sunspots on the Sun's surface. These flares can heat materials to temperatures of millions of degrees in a matter of minutes, emitting various forms of radiation, including radio waves, X-rays, and gamma rays.

NASA classifies solar flares based on their strength, ranging from B-class (the lowest category) to X-class (the greatest). The solar flares observed during the eclipse were classified as X-class, highlighting their extraordinary power. Solar flares of such magnitude can impact radio communications, electric power grids, navigation signals, as well as pose risks to spacecraft and astronauts.

The largest solar flare ever recorded took place on April 2, 2001, surpassing the power of a flare that occurred on March 6, 1989. The latter incident had caused disruptions in Canada's power systems, as observed by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory Satellite.

While the solar flares observed during the total eclipse provided a visually stunning experience, it is essential to acknowledge their potential impact on various technological systems. Researchers and space agencies continue to monitor solar activity closely, ensuring accurate predictions and necessary precautions for potential disruptions caused by future solar flares.

During this once-in-a-lifetime event, the combination of a total solar eclipse and the mesmerizing display of solar flares served as a reminder of the awe-inspiring power and beauty of our closest star, the Sun.