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Images courtesy SOHO (NASA & ESA). Animation by Windows to the Universe staff (Randy Russell).

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Solar Flares

Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs)

Sunspot Cycle

A CME blasts Comet NEAT as it passes the Sun

Video: Journey Beneath a Sunspot

Video: Dark Days Ahead for the Sun

Activity: Plotting Locations of Active Regions on the Sun

Activity: Tracking the Motion of an Active Sunspot Region

When Nature Strikes: Space Weather

When Nature Strikes: You Be the Solar Scientist! Classroom Activity

Solar Storms

You know that there are all kinds of storms here on Earth - thunderstorms, blizzards, tornadoes, and hurricanes. The Sunalso has storms.

There are two different kinds of storms on the Sun. They are called solar flares and CMEs (short for Coronal Mass Ejections). Solar flares last only a few minutes to as long as an hour. CMEs usually last a few hours. Even in this short amount of time, both storms on the Sun can give off more energy than 100 hurricanes on Earth!

The energy from solar storms can be dangerous if it reaches Earth! Astronauts on spacewalks are in danger of radiation exposure, and electronics on satellites can be fried. We're safe here on Earth because of the shield the Earth's magnetic fieldand atmosphere provide.

Sometimes, solar storms do offer us a wonderful (safe!) treat. The beautiful aurora (Northern and Southern Lights) are results of solar storms.

Some "seasons" are stormier than others on the Sun. More storms happen in the height of the 11-year solar cycle or near solar maximum times.

Last modified April 29, 2016 by Jennifer Bergman.

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