Solar Flare

sun · space weather · energy · magnetic

Intense energy bursts. Solar flares are sudden, localized explosions of energy in the Sun's atmosphere that release massive amounts of electromagnetic radiation in just minutes or hours.

Can affect Earth. When solar flares happen, they sometimes send charged particles and energy toward Earth, which can affect satellites, power grids, and create beautiful auroras in the sky.

Follow a pattern. Solar flares occur more often during certain years in an 11-year cycle called the solar cycle, with more flares happening during active periods called solar maximum.

Often bring companions. Solar flares are frequently accompanied by coronal mass ejections, which are huge clouds of plasma and magnetic field that burst out from the Sun.

Happen in active zones. Flares always occur in active regions of the Sun where the magnetic field is twisted and tangled, kind of like the most energetic neighborhoods on the Sun's surface.