What is a solar flare?
A solar flare is an intense burst of radiation coming from the release of magnetic energy associated with sunspots. In other words , solar flares are large explosions from the surface of the sun that emit intense bursts of electromagnetic radiation.
Flares are our solar system’s largest explosive events.
These outbursts are intrinsically linked to the solar cycle — an approximately 11-year cycle of solar activity driven by the sun’s magnetic field. https://scied.ucar.edu/learning-zone/sun-space-weather/solar-flare
When solar flares occur?
Solar flares occur when magnetic energy builds up in the solar atmosphere and is released suddenly. Flares are not fires but outbursts of electromagnetic radiation.
How solar flares are seen?
They are seen as bright areas on the sun.
We typically see a solar flare by the photons (or light) it releases, at most every wavelength of the spectrum.
How long the solar flares last?
They can last from minutes to hours.
What are the primary ways by which we can monitor solar flares?
The primary ways we monitor flares are in x-rays and optical light. Flares are also sites where particles (electrons, protons, and heavier particles) are accelerated.
When solar flares impact Earth?
Solar flares impact Earth only when they occur on the side of the sun facing Earth. Because flares are made of photons, they travel out directly from the flare site, so if we can see the flare, we can be impacted by it.
Along with solar flares what are the other forms of solar activity?
Solar flares, coronal mass ejections, high-speed solar wind, and solar energetic particles are all forms of solar activity.
What is the driving force behind all solar activities?
All solar activity is driven by the solar magnetic field.
How are the solar flares classified?
The intensity of the explosion determines what classification the flare belongs to.
The most powerful are X-class flares, followed by M-, C- and B-class; A-class flares are the smallest.
How the solar flares affect earth?
Different types of flares, particularly X-class flares, affect Earth, satellites and even astronauts.
They can lead to failing of GPS and navigation systems and could damage power grids on earth.
They could also result in intense auroras over much of the Earth.
High intensity solar flares also could disturb space activities.
Due to their occurrence, orbits of the satellites could be disturbed
Shortwave radio communication of the aircraft flying over polar regions could be interrupted.
The solar flare directed towards the Earth becomes weaker with deeper penetration towards the topographic surface.
Can solar flares cause radio blackouts on earth?
When a strong enough flare occurs, charged electrons in the upper atmosphere can temporarily disrupt radio waves on the side of Earth that is facing the Sun, either degrading or completely absorbing them. This results in a radio blackout where certain frequencies of radio waves are completely absent for a short period of time.
Can harmful radiation from a flare physically affect humans on the ground?
According to NASA, harmful radiation from a flare cannot pass through Earth’s atmosphere to physically affect humans on the ground. The solar flares, even the intense ones, do not pose an immediate threat to us, at least those who are within the Earth’s atmosphere.
How solar flares are related with coronal mass ejections?
Solar flares are different to ‘coronal mass ejections’ (CMEs), which were once thought to be initiated by solar flares.
CMEs are huge bubbles of gas threaded with magnetic field lines that are ejected from the Sun over the course of several hours.
Although some are accompanied by flares, it is now known that most CMEs are not associated with flares.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
QUES 1 . If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth? UPSC 2022
1 . GPS and navigation systems could fail.
2 . Tsunamis could occur at equatorial regions.
3 . Power grids could be damaged.
4 . Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth.
5 . Forest fires could take place over much of the planet.
6 . Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed.
7 . Shortwave radio communication of the aircraft flying over polar regions could be interrupted.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
(b) 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 only
(c) 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7
Ans (c)
Must read: Heat Budget of the Planet Earth
