Solar Activity

Solar activity refers to the various phenomena that occur on the Sun’s surface and in its atmosphere, which are primarily driven by the Sun’s magnetic field. It includes a range of events such as solar flares, sunspots, and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Solar flares are sudden bursts of radiation that occur when magnetic energy built up in the solar atmosphere is released. Sunspots are temporary phenomena on the Sun’s photosphere that appear as spots darker than the surrounding areas, indicating intense magnetic activity. CMEs are large expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun’s corona into space.

The level of solar activity varies over an approximately 11-year solar cycle, affecting the Sun’s brightness and magnetic field, which in turn can influence space weather and even impact the Earth’s atmosphere, satellite operations, and communications. Solar activity is an essential area of study in solar physics and has significant implications for both space and terrestrial environments.