• A solar flare is a sudden flash of brightness observed near the Sun’s surface.
• It involves a very broad spectrum of emissions, an energy release of typically 1020 joules of energy for a well-observed event.
• A solar flare is basically a giant explosion on the surface of our Sun which occurs when magnetic field lines from sunspots tangle and erupt.
• A solar flare is defined as a sudden, rapid, and intense variation in brightness.
• A solar flare occurs when magnetic energy that has built up in the solar atmosphere is suddenly released.

• Two high-intensity solar flares were emitted
• The second of which was the most intense recorded since the start of this sun cycle in December 2008
• These radiation flares, which can disrupt communications satellites, GPS and power grids by reaching the upper earth atmosphere, were detected and captured by the US Space Agency’s Solar Dynamics Observatory.
• Solar cycles last on average eleven years.
• At the end of the active phase, these eruptions become increasingly rare but still can be powerful.
• Solar storms result from an accumulation of magnetic energy in some places.

GS III  : Science and tech

Source : The Hindu