Solar flare

Definition

A solar flare is a sudden, intense burst of radiation and energy from the Sun's surface, often associated with sunspots. These flares can impact space weather and disrupt satellite communications on Earth.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Solar flares originate from the Sun's active regions where magnetic fields are particularly strong.
2. They release energy equivalent to millions of hydrogen bombs in just a few minutes.
3. Solar flares can emit radiation across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, including X-rays and gamma rays.
4. Flares are classified into different categories by their X-ray brightness: A, B, C, M, and X, with X being the most powerful.
5. The occurrence of solar flares is linked to the solar cycle, peaking during periods of maximum solar activity.

Review Questions

• What causes solar flares to form on the Sun?
• How are solar flares classified?
• What impact can solar flares have on Earth?

Related terms

Sunspot: Darker areas on the Sun’s surface that are cooler than surrounding regions and often precede solar flares.

Coronal Mass Ejection (CME): Large expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun’s corona that can cause geomagnetic storms.

Solar Cycle: An approximately 11-year cycle during which the frequency of sunspots and solar activity fluctuates.