Solar Flares

Sun’s magnetic

fields

Solar Flare

*Large, quick explosion in the sun’s atmosphere.*Releases a huge amount of energy (1/6th of total energy of entire sun)*Occur around magnetic disturbances (sunspots)*X-ray and gamma emissions can affect earth satellite communication. Cause northern/southern lights.*Can cause “sunquakes”

Solar Prominence

• Often a loop shape of plasma.• Held in place by magnetic fields.• Takes days to appear/disappear.• Sometimes will eject off and fly into space

(coronal mass ejection, CME)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/39/Sun_earth_jupiter_whole_600.jpg

Sunspots

• Dark spots on the surface of the sun. • Darker area is cooler by about 1000 degrees

(compared to about 5000 degrees)