What is a Solar flare?
A flare is defined as the unexpected, rapid, and intense contrast in illumination. Therefore, a solar flare is a sudden flash of increased brightness of the Sun. They are usually observed near its surface and in close vicinity to a sunspot group.
Solar flares are an enormous explosion of the Sun that happens when stored in magnetic fields is abruptly released. They release a lot of radiation into space. Flares are closely related to the ejection of plasmas and particles through the Sun's corona.
What is the cause of a Solar Flare?
Flares occur when accelerated charged particles interact with the plasma medium. They release a lot of radiation into space. Powerful solar flares are usually accompanied by a coronal mass ejection, which is a huge bubble of particles and radiation from the Sun.
It also explains why solar flares typically erupt from the regions on the Sun where the magnetic field is much stronger. They explode at very high speed when the Sun's magnetic field suddenly reorganizes, i.e magnetic reconnection.
Types of Solar Flares
Scientists classify solar flares according to their brightness in the x-ray wavelengths. There are three categories:
- X-class flares - They are big. They are major events that can trigger radio blackouts and auroras in the whole world.
- M-class flares - They are medium-sized. They can also cause radio blackouts that affect Earth's polar regions.
- C-class flares - They are small and have few noticeable consequences on Earth.
Solar flare effects
If the ejection is in the direction of the Earth, particles associated with this disturbance can penetrate into the upper atmosphere. When charged particles from a CMO(coronal mass ejection) reach areas near the Earth, they can trigger intense lights in the sky, called auroras.
If big solar flares reach the Earth it can cause radio blackouts around the whole world. Solar flares are the most powerful explosions in the solar system.
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