10
Solar Flares
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)
Sunspots
• Dark spots on the surface of the sun. • Darker area is cooler by about 1000 degrees
(compared to about 5000 degrees)
