Solar Flare

In News 

• Recently, the Sun unleashed a massive ‘X-Class’ solar flare, causing major fluctuations in the ionosphere above India. 

About 

• X-Class denotes the most intense flares, while the number provides more information about its strength.
• It has been caused because of the ionospheric impact localised over the Pacific region
• It can impact satellite communication and global positioning systems.

About Solar Flares

• They are massive bursts of electromagnetic radiation emerging from the Sun’s surface. 
• The sudden outburst of electromagnetic energy travels at the speed of light, therefore any effect upon the sunlit side of Earth’s exposed outer atmosphere occurs at the same time the event is observed. 
• They usually take place in active regions, which are areas on the Sun marked by the presence of strong magnetic fields; typically associated with sunspot groups. 
• They are usually associated with the Sun’s active regions, like sunspots (the darker areas on the solar surface). 

• Flares can last from a few minutes to some hours.
• Impact: 
  • They  can impact radio communications, electric power grids, navigation signals, and pose risks to spacecraft and astronauts.

Source:DTE