Solar Flare

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Why in news?

The X1.2 flare erupted from sunspot AR3256 near the southwestern limb of the star in our Solar System.
It led to a strong shortwave radio blackout in south-east Asia, Australia, and New Zealand

Key facts about Solar Flare

What is it? Solar storms are magnetic plasma ejected at great speed from the solar surface.
They occur during the release of magnetic energy associated with sunspots (‘dark’ regions on the Sun that are cooler than the surrounding photosphere), and can last for a few minutes or hours.
There are 4 classes of solar flares – B, C, M, and X and these are classified on a logarithmic scale similar to the Richter scale.
The class denotes the strength of the flare and the number that comes after it signifies their strength at a finer scale.
Each class is therefore divided into 9 subdivisions. For example, X1 to X9.

What are the impacts of Solar Flares?

Solar flares can impact radio communications, electric power grids, and navigation signals, and pose risks to spacecraft and astronauts.
X-class flares can trigger planet-wide radio blackouts and long-lasting radiation storms.

Q1) What is Magnetic energy?

Magnetic energy is the energy associated with a magnetic field. It is generated due to electric charges in motion. The Magnetic fields are generated by permanent magnets, electromagnets, and changing electric fields.

Source: Powerful ‘X-class’ solar flare slams Earth, causes radio blackouts. There could be more.