Solar Storm - 22. January 2012

source: www.nasa.gov

credit: NASA/SDO

This incredible image is a closeup of the January 22, 2012, M8.7 class solar flare, of which the coronal mass ejection (CME) collided with Earth's magnetic field on January 24, 2012.

Solar radiation storms can affect satellite operations and short wave radio propagation, but apparently cannot harm humans on Earth. Some airlines adjusted selected routes due to the chance of impact of the radiation on communication equipment.

(paraphrased from here)