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Solar Flares. Sun’s magnetic fields. Solar Flare. * Large, quick explosion in the sun’s atmosphere. *Releases a huge amount of energy (1/6 th of total energy of entire sun) *Occur around magnetic disturbances (sunspots)
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Solar Flare *Large, quick explosion in the sun’s atmosphere. *Releases a huge amount of energy (1/6th of total energy of entire sun) *Occur around magnetic disturbances (sunspots) *X-ray and gamma emissions can affect earth satellite communication. Cause northern/southern lights. *Can cause “sunquakes”
Solar Prominence • Often a loop shape of plasma. • Held in place by magnetic fields. • Takes days to appear/disappear. • Sometimes will eject off and fly into space (coronal mass ejection, CME)
Sunspots • Dark spots on the surface of the sun. • Darker area is cooler by about 1000 degrees (compared to about 5000 degrees)