Times Talk Topics:Solar Flares

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What is a Solar Flare?

image courtesy of the National Science Foundation

"A solar flare is an intense burst of radiation coming from the release of magnetic energy associated with sunspots. Flares are our solar system’s largest explosive events. They are seen as bright areas on the sun and they can last from minutes to hours. We typically see a solar flare by the photons (or light) it releases, at most every wavelength of the spectrum. 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."~ NASA


"Flares reach maximum brightness within a few minutes, then fade away over about an hour. They eject a burst of atomic particles into space at up to 1,000 kps/600 mps. When these particles reach Earth they can cause radio blackouts, disruptions of the Earth's magnetic field, and auroras.

In 2003 astronomers using the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) observed the biggest solar flare ever recorded. Solar flare strength is given an ‘X’ designation ranging from a minimum X1 up to X20 (the latter being the magnitude of the previous largest recorded solar flare, in 2001). The 2003 flare was so powerful that it overloaded the measuring devices, and estimates of its magnitude placed it at around X28." ~ The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide

Solar Flares in March, 2012

"On March 13, 2012, the sun erupted with an M7.9-class flare that peaked at 1:41 p.m. EDT. This flare was from the same active region, No. 1429, that has been producing flares and coronal mass ejections all week. That region has been moving across the face of the sun since March 2, and will soon rotate out of Earth view."~NASA

"NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) captured this image of an M7.9 class flare on March 13, 2012 at 1:29 p.m. EDT. It is shown here in the 131 Angstrom wavelength, a wavelength particularly good for seeing solar flares and a wavelength that is typically colorized in teal. (Image credit: NASA/SDO)"

Presenter

Dr. Eric Deyo, FHSU Department of Physics

ecdeyo@fhsu.edu   785.628.4501

Articles

Chang, K. (2012, March 8). Forecast is solar stormy, with slim chance you'll notice.  New York Times.

Chang, K.  (2009, July 20).  Is the sun missing its spots?  New York Times.

Chang, K.  (2012, March 8).  Solar bursts spray Earth, with more to comeNew York Times.

Fountain, H.  (2010, November 16).  Solar storm risks bring disaster plansNew York Times.

Joseph, L.E. (2012, August 5).  The sun also surprisesNew York Times.

Magnuson, S. (2012). Catastrophic solar flare scenario touches off stormy debate. National Defense, 96(699), 13-14.

Wilford, J.N.  (2002, June 11).  Close-up views of sun give astronomers more to think aboutNew York Times.

The Surprising Power of Solar Storms (NASA)