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Solar flares

by Lewis Carroll
written by Lewis Carroll

Solar flares – In fact, solar flares are powerful and rapidly developing local processes in the Sun, as a result of which a large amount of energy is released. At the same time, their development lasts for several minutes, and their attenuation lasts for several hours. Flares have been observed occurring in the activity zones that surround sunspots (see here), as well as between spots with opposite magnetic polarities.
The reason for their occurrence is a sharp change in the state of the magnetic field (see physical, electromagnetic field) and plasma of the chromosphere (see Suns, chromosphere) and, in particular, the corona (see Sun, corona), which occurs when new or evolutionary changes in existing magnetic fluxes appear. With the help of changes in magnetic fields, so-called unstable electric currents are created in the plasma – layers that accumulate magnetic energy. Due to the instability of these layers, as well as due to the attachment of magnetic lines of force, magnetic energy is released and converted into heat and energy of the movement of plasma flows.
This circumstance leads to a thousandfold increase in plasma density and an extremely strong increase in temperature. Starting from a certain value, it increases to the limits at which thermonuclear reactions are possible (see Nuclear reactions). These events take place in very limited places. However, the flare can cover only about 0.1% of the visible hemisphere of the Sun. These conditions cause protons and electrons to accelerate to relativistic speeds. This is accompanied by powerful electromagnetic radiation, which spreads throughout its entire spectrum. Huge hydrodynamic shock waves act in these areas, which lead to additional heating of the solar chromosphere and corona (see Suns, corona; chromosphere).
It is the activity of the Sun, which is a consequence of its outbursts, that affects the state of near-Earth space. It is capable of increasing the level of ionization of the earth’s upper atmosphere, causing magnetic storms, as well as seismic phenomena.

Lewis Carroll writes about military space programmes, policy, technology and the industry that supports the sector. He spent nearly two decades covering the military, the Pentagon, Congress and the defence industry as a journalist for Space Chatter magazine.

Lewis Carroll writes about military space programmes, policy, technology and the industry that supports the sector. He spent nearly two decades covering the military, the Pentagon, Congress and the defence industry as a journalist for Space Chatter magazine.

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