SOLAR FLARESFor our homework recently, we had to do a fact sheet on one aspect of space. I chose to do solar flares.
What: A solar flare is a burst of energy from a break in the suns Chromosphere (middle layer). This can sometimes can cause disruptions in the earths magnetic field, such as causing aurorae to become brighter and more vivid than usual, magnetic storms to occur, and can even cause radio interference.
Where: Solar Flares usually occur close to sunspots, in the suns chromosphere. The sunspots are around 1000 degrees cooler than the surrounding gas. (even though cooler is still hotter than 4500 degrees C) They are also darker than their surroundings.
How can they be predicted: Scientists can predict when flares are going to happen by looking through special filters. If the magnetic fiel of the sunspots are twisted or the angles have changed, it is a sign that a flare will happen in the near future.
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