Solar Flares

Solar flares are intense bursts of radiation and energy produced by the magnetic activity on the surface of the Sun. They occur when magnetic fields in the solar atmosphere become highly stressed and release energy stored in the form of radiation across a broad spectrum, including X-rays, ultraviolet light, and visible light. Solar flares can vary in size and intensity, affecting the Sun’s outer layers and leading to the release of plasma and energetic particles into space. These events can influence space weather, impacting satellite operations, communications on Earth, and even power grids by inducing geomagnetic storms. Solar flares are often associated with sunspots and can be observed using specialized instruments designed to detect different wavelengths of light and radiation emitted during these explosive events.