Solar flares are one of the most powerful phenomena in our solar system. These bursts of radiation sporadically erupt from the Sun and can unleash the energy equivalent of billions of hydrogen bombs in mere minutes.
A better understanding of solar flares can provide valuable insight into the nature of our Sun, as well as how these events can affect Earth. Let's dive into the basics of solar flares, from what they are to the dangers they can present.
Image captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on June 20, 2013 shows the bright light of a solar flare on the left side of the Sun. Credit: NASA/SDO
NASA/SDO
Solar flares are intense bursts of radiation from the Sun, releasing vast amounts of energy across the electromagnetic spectrum — from radio waves to X-rays to gamma rays. They are caused by the sudden release of magnetic energy stored in the Sun, ...
