A solar flare is an intense flash of extreme radiation emanating from the Sun. Solar flares are classified as A, B, C, M or X (ranged from small to large).
Solar flares can produce streams of highly energetic particles in the solar wind, known as a solar proton event, or "coronal mass ejection" (CME). At high levels we speak of a Solar Radiation Storm.
These particles can impact the Earth's magnetosphere and can cause a geomagnetic storm. Such storms can interfere with modern technology on Earth, such as electrical power grids, communications systems and satellites.
On March 13th, 1989 a huge solar induced magnetic storm played havoc with the ionosphere, and the earth's magnetic field. This storm, the second largest storm experienced in the past 50 years, totally shut down Hydro-Quebec, the power grid servicing Canada's Quebec province. Service restoration took more than nine hours.
The solar storm of 1859, also known as the Solar Superstorm was the most powerful solar storm in recorded history. Aurorae were seen around the world. Inthe Rocky Mountainsit was so bright that the glow awoke gold miners, who began preparing breakfast because they thought it was morning.
Telegraph systems all over Europe and North America failed in some cases even shocking telegraph operators. Telegraph pylons threw sparks and telegraph paper spontaneously caught fire. Some telegraph systems appeared to continue to send and receive messages despite having been disconnected from their power supplies.
In 2012 a new solar maximum is expected (Solar Cycle 24) and we could be in for a huge firework display. The Sun will be approaching the peak of its 11-year cycle, so we can expect a lot of solar activity. Certain predictions put the solar greatest extent of Solar Cycle 24 even more vigorous than the last solar maximum in 2002-2003 take into account all those record breaking X-class flares. But should we be worried?
University of New Hampshire scientist Jimmy Raeder stated in Examiner (April 2011); "We're entering Solar Cycle 24. For reasons not fully understood, CMEs in even-numbered solar cycles (like 24) tend to hit Earth with a leading edge that is magnetized north. Such a CME should open a breach and load the magnetosphere with plasma just before the storm gets underway. It's the perfect sequence for a really big event."
On the other hand; NASA predicts that Solar Cycle 24 will peak in July 2013 with about 58 sunspots. This would make it the least active cycle sincethe year 1823.
How can we keep an eye on our yellow friend?
Solar-flares.info shows you everything you should know in a clear and logic way, offering you the latest solar data, images and graphs. Finally a spaceweather site that doesn't require an academic degree..
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