Shuttle Astronauts taking cover

Another X Class solar flare made it necessary for NASA to order the shuttle Astronauts to take cover.



Before the shuttle launch, there was a major solar flare. It was reported as on of the strongest flares recorded in 30 years. With this kind of solar activity going on, I wonder why NASA didn't delay the launch of the shuttle. It seemed like they were ready to scrub the launch for high winds, this seems a little more serious than that!

Originally posted by Makuahine
Before the shuttle launch, there was a major solar flare. It was reported as on of the strongest flares recorded in 30 years. With this kind of solar activity going on, I wonder why NASA didn't delay the launch of the shuttle. It seemed like they were ready to scrub the launch for high winds, this seems a little more serious than that!

Well right now the Sun is supposed to be at it's low point in its 11 year cycle of solar activity, so I guess they weren't expecting another large eruption to happen during this time.

It looks like both solar flares are from the same spot on the Sun. Sunspot 930. This must just be some sort of secondary eruption and hopefully no more after this.