The Spectacular Display of Solar Flares
Solar flares are standard on our sun, manifesting as intense bursts of radiation resulting from magnetic energy release. These flares are the most powerful solar system explosions and can persist from minutes to hours, sometimes interfering with radio communication here on Earth.
This astonishing image of NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory shows a solar flare. The Observatory's ongoing research focuses on understanding the sun's impact on Earth and the space environment surrounding our planet. Key areas of investigation include the sun's magnetic field, interior, atmosphere, and solar energy output.
