Its two star cameras, which it uses to control the spacecraft's orientation, got a large dose of energy. Protons from the solar wind electrified pixels in the star cameras, producing dots that the camera interpreted as stars. The 12 brightest images, the ones the spacecraft relied on to point its way, were electrified pixels, which showed up as false stars. Hundreds of these star-like images inundated the star camera's field of view, which meant it could not recognize its attitude in space. Last image taken before entering safe mode.
View shows hundreds of proton hits as solar flare occurred.
Taken days after the solar flare subsided, the image shows many bright objects, all identified as stars or Saturn. The camera had completely recovered from the proton hits at this time. While it was waiting, the spacecraft tried again to determine its attitude by using two different sets of cameras. It repeatedly turned up hundreds of bogus star-like images. It also switched between electronics systems on either side of the spacecraft.