Solar flares are powered by the sudden release of magnetic energy stored in the Sun’s corona. This happens when the Sun’s magnetic fields become tangled, similar to a rubber band snapping. The energy released by a solar flare is more than a million times greater than the energy from a volcanic eruption on Earth.
The process that causes solar flares is called magnetic reconnection. This happens when two oppositely directed magnetic fields are brought together. The magnetic lines rearrange and reconnect, causing the magnetic fields to twist and warp. This stress in the magnetic fields eventually leads to a sudden release of energy.
Solar flares are usually associated with active regions, often seen as sun spots, where the magnetic fields are strongest. Flares are classified according to their strength. The most powerful are X-class flares, followed by M-, C- and B-class. A-class flares are the smallest.
Solar flares can cause widespread radio blackouts and can sometimes damage satellites
Essentially, a flare is a release of magnetic energy from an active region on a star. On the Sun, we see that kind of activity connected to sunspot groups, which have strong magnetic field lines. Stored magnetic energy accumulates, and eventually the lines “snap” and release that energy
Solar flares occur frequently, but their frequency varies with the Sun’s 11-year solar cycle. During solar maximum, the Sun experiences peak activity and its magnetic field is strongest. Solar flares occur more frequently and with greater intensity during solar maximum.
During solar minimum, active regions are small and rare, and few solar flares are detected. During solar maximum, the average rate of flares can be as high as 20 per day.
In an 11-year solar cycle, there can be as many as 2,000 solar flares of varying strength. More powerful flares are less frequent than weaker ones.
Here are some recent solar flares:
- November 29, 2023: An M9.8 solar flare with a coronal mass ejection directed at Earth
- November 27, 2023: Multiple coronal mass ejections, including three that may be directed at Earth
- November 10, 2023: A coronal mass ejection impact was expected on November 11
- July 2, 2023: A strong solar flare peaked at 7:14 PM ET
- March 3, 2023: A strong X-class solar flare peaked at 12:52 PM EST
- January 5, 2023: An X1.2 class solar flare peaked at 7:57 PM EST
NASA predicts that a large solar maximum flare will occur in 2025
Solar activity is currently low, with a slight chance of isolated M-flares. The geomagnetic field has been quiet for the past 24 hours. Solar wind speed reached a peak of 472 km/s at 10/2259Z.
Solar cycle 25 began in December 2019 and is expected to continue until about 2030. The solar maximum of Cycle 25 is expected to peak in 2024–25
Solar activity is measured by counting the number of sunspots on the Sun’s surface. The International Sunspot Number (RI) is the primary indicator of solar activity.
The Sun’s activity goes through an 11-year cycle. The cycle has a 7-year active period when solar flares are likely and a 4-year quiescent period when solar flares are rare. The beginning of a solar cycle is a solar minimum, when the Sun has the fewest sunspots.
Other measures of solar activity include:
- Solar irradiance Satellites have measured solar irradiance since 1978. The Sun’s total solar irradiance fluctuates by about 0.1% over the 11-year solar cycle.
- Very low frequency (VLF) transmissions Space weather monitors track changes in VLF transmissions as they bounce off Earth’s ionosphere. VLF radio waves are transmitted from submarine communication centers and can be picked up all over the Earth.
Scientists monitor solar activity to:
- Protect radio communications: Solar activity can interfere with high-frequency radio communications and GPS.
- Keep satellites and astronauts safe: Solar activity can affect satellite electronics and limit their lifetime.
- Predict space weather: Solar activity can cause major climatic changes.
- Understand other stars: The Sun’s age, radius, mass, and luminosity can help us understand other stars.
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) monitors the Sun’s activity. Scientists also monitor changes in the size, position, and number of sunspots.
Monitoring the Sun’s activity can help us understand other stars. The Sun’s age, mass, radius, and luminosity are key to understanding how other stars evolve. The frequency of flares on other stars can also indicate the likelihood of life on those stars.
The Sun’s activity can also affect Earth and the technology we use. Solar activity can cause major climatic changes, and solar particle events can disable satellites and disrupt electrical grids.
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) monitors the Sun’s activity 24 hours a day. The SDO provides data to help predict space weather events and mitigate their impact.
Times of maximum sunspot activity are associated with a very slight increase in the energy output from the sun. Ultraviolet radiation increases dramatically during high sunspot activity, which can have a large effect on the Earth’s atmosphere. The converse is true during minimum sunspot activity
(Full article source google)
https://130ealik57-6kr9kngv7ujukpe.hop.clickbank.net
Universe discoveries 