Solar Storm
Solar storms are waves of radiation emitted from the Sun that travel through space. The radiation from these storms can have a range of effects, including disrupting satellites in space, power grids on Earth and navigation systems. Earth’s atmosphere protects humans from the radiation, but astronauts in space are at risk during solar storm activity.
Solar storms are often caused by solar flares or coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Solar flares are explosions on the surface of the Sun, often occurring near sunspots (shifting fields of magnetic energy). These flares can release as much energy as a billion megatons of TNT (1 megaton = 1,000 tons of TNT), and release various forms of energy, including gamma and x-rays.
Coronal mass ejections are bursts of energy released from the sun over a number of hours, and occur when the Sun’s magnetic field and outer solar atmosphere get too close. CMEs are often associated with solar flare activity, but can occur independently of solar flares.
Solar storms, along with solar flares and coronal mass ejections, are tracked by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service. You can get daily space weather forecasts the NOAA website.
(Source: NASA; Photo courtesy of NOAA)
(Text by Noel Kirkpatrick)
Articles about Solar Storm
Wed, May 16 2012 at 1:22 PM EST
Heavy magnetic activity and a rapid spinning motion likely cause these stars to give off their intense bursts of energy.Tue, May 08 2012 at 10:39 AM EST
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory mission says the sunspot is more than 60,000 miles across.Mon, Apr 30 2012 at 9:18 AM EST
As the 11-year solar cycle ramps up toward next year's expected peak, a new NASA video offers answers to common questions about space weather.Mon, Apr 16 2012 at 5:08 PM EST
The flare occurred at the same time as coronal mass ejection, but luckily the eruption point wasn't facing toward Earth.Fri, Apr 13 2012 at 4:13 PM EST
An aurora hunter in Michigan shows luck is what you make of it.Mon, Apr 02 2012 at 11:16 AM EST
Solar storms are known for creating vivid sights in the sky, but thanks to one clever scientist, now we can hear what they 'sound' like, too.Sun, Mar 25 2012 at 3:51 PM EST
Scientists say the storms caused portions of the sun's atmosphere to light up 'like a Christmas tree.' Tue, Mar 13 2012 at 5:28 PM EST
The bulbous solar flare extension is actually a 'prominence' and contains cooler, denser plasma than the surrounding 3.5-million-degree Fahrenheit corona.Tue, Mar 13 2012 at 4:33 PM EST
Solar storms have created some stunning aurora borealis displays in recent weeks. This four-minute film from Norway is one of the best so far.Thu, Mar 08 2012 at 5:13 PM EST
Despite the lack of a full punch, the solar flare did douse some satellites with space radiation, and airlines diverted flights near the poles.- 1. Solar Storm
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