Sun releases first X class flare of 2014

NASA reports the first significant solar flare of 2014. The flare, which occurred at 1:32 p.m. EST on Tuesday Jan. 7, is listed as a X1.2-class. Solar flares release significant amounts of radiation and, while is not harmful to humans, as it does not penetrate the Earth’s atmosphere, it can cause disruption to GPS and other communication signals.