Tag: what is a solar flare

Technology

Solar flare, geomagnetic storm, CME: What are these terrifying things? NASA reveals

Over the last few days, the Earth has suffered the onslaught from a solar flare, a geomagnetic storm and a coronal mass ejection (CME). But what are they and how do they differ? NASA explains. The last few days have been pretty terrifying for the Earth. Our planet has been suffering from a solar storm onslaught that included two different X-class solar flare eruptions and a geomagnetic storm, all within just a week. This has resulted in radio blackouts in Australia, New Zealand and South America as well as the fascinating aurora displays in the arctic circles. But as we continue to report on the latest solar disturbances, what do these terms actually mean and how are they different from one another? If you've been confused about them as well, don't worry. NASA has come to your rescue...
Technology

Solar flare threat looms! 3 new sunspots may emit dangerous X-class solar flares

Forecasters have issued a warning against 3 sunspots which could emit dangerous solar flares. The Sun has entered its middle age, estimated to be around 4.57 billion years. Scientists say during its last years in the solar system, the Sun will engulf nearby planets like Mercury, Venus and Earth. The study concluded that the Sun will reach its peak temperatures nearly 8 billion years into the future after which it will lower its surface temperature and increase its size. It is during this expansion that the Sun will become a red giant, swallowing nearby planets. Although there is enough time for many of our generations to live out their life fully before the Sun engulfs Earth, the planet faces a danger from the Sun today in the form of solar flares, according to NOAA forecasters.Accor...
Technology

Dangerous solar flares set to hit Earth as sunspot turns volatile

An unstable Sunspot was observed on the solar surface which could result in solar flares being hurled out. The Sun's solar activity is at a high due to it being nearly in the middle of its 11-year solar cycle. As a result, Earth has been in the firing line of solar flares, solar storms, Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) and more solar phenomena for the past months, and more are expected as the Sun moves ahead in its cycle. Although this solar activity might seem harmless due to the distance of the Sun from our planet, they can cause major damage. Now, scientists have observed an unstable Sunspot which could spit out dangerous solar flares.According to a report by spaceweather.com, Sunspot AR3163 has an unstable magnetic field which could result in a significant explosion. This has increa...
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Solar flare alert! Sunspot eruptions spark dangerous M-class, X-class flares

Sunspots on the Sun's surface sparked dangerous solar flares yesterday! Could these flares have caused any damage? There is cause to worry as Earth has been in the firing line of dangerous solar flares recently. Solar activity has been at a high due to the Sun being in the middle of its 11-year solar cycle, a time when it reaches its peak before subsiding over the next few years. As a result, sunspot eruptions, solar storms, solar flares and more, have all plagued Earth for the past months. Just yesterday, dangerous solar flares erupted from the solar surface and sent hurling.According to a spaceweather.com report, dangerous M-class solar flares were sent hurling yesterday, December 15, by nearly 11 numbered sunspots facing the Sun. Moreover, X-rated flares were hurled too, making it...
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Scary! Huge sunspot on the Sun could double in size, hurl solar flares

A scary sunspot could combine with another sunspot and hurl solar flares towards Earth! Here’s what you need to know. The solar activity is nearly at its peak due to the Sun being in the middle of its 11-year solar cycle, which has resulted in increased solar output. Our planet has been in the firing line of solar flares, solar storms, Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) and more for quite a while and more are expected as the Sun moves ahead in its cycle. Although this solar activity might seem harmless due to the distance of the Sun from our planet, they can cause major damage.Now, scientists are constantly observing increasing activity at a Sunspot named AR3157, on the surface of the Sun. It has been observed emitting plumes into space, according to a report by spaceweather.com. The repo...
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What are solar flares and geomagnetic storms? Explained here

A number of solar storms have hit the earth over the last few weeks. Here's all you need to know about these solar storms and and the geomagnetic storms they spark. The Sun is in the middle of its 11-year solar cycle. As a result of increased activity, scientists and researchers have observed multiple solar flares and Coronal Mass Ejections, triggering geomagnetic storms on earth. Fortunately, no major effect has been seen as of now, however, a really powerful solar storm could create havoc on earth and cause GPS, radio and power grid blackouts. According to NASA, solar flares are an intense burst of radiation caused due to the release of energy from sunspots. Dark spots on the Sun's surface are called sunspots. Though they ...