solar flare

Table of Contents

Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics

Images & Videos

solar flare and shock wave in Sun's atmosphere

Learn how solar flares can affect satellites, rockets, telecommunications systems and activity on the surface of the Earth

The Sun, photographed by astronauts on NASA's Skylab 4 mission (Nov. 16, 1973–Feb. 8, 1974). This image shows a spectacular solar flare, with a base more than 591,000 km (367,000 miles) across.

Earth's magnetosphere

Study a solar flare in different wavelengths of light as observed by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly, April 8, 2010

Read Next

solar eclipse, sun, moon, astronomy, space

How Do You Tell the Difference Between Total, Annular, Solar, and Lunar Eclipses?

Arrangement of the phases of the moon in total eclipse with Blood Moon

9 Celestial Omens

Solar system illustration. (planets; sun)

Why Are Planets Round?

Galaxy clusters like Abell 2744 can act as a natural cosmic lens, magnifying light from more distant, background objects through gravity. NASA's James Webb Space Telescope may be able to detect light from the first stars in the universe if they are gravitationally lensed by such clusters. (astronomy, space exploration, galaxies)

How Fast Is the Universe Expanding?

Solar system illustration. (Sun; planets)

A Model of the Cosmos

Discover

Illustration for Demystified "How Dangerous is Quicksand"

How Deadly Is Quicksand?

Shadow of a man holding large knife in his hand inside of some dark, spooky buiding

7 of History's Most Notorious Serial Killers

King Cobra snake in Malaysia. (reptile)

9 of the World’s Deadliest Snakes

Dancers at a Cinco de Mayo festival at the Mission District, San Francisco, California. (Photo dated 2019.) holidays

Is Cinco de Mayo Mexico's Independence Day?

Amendments 1-10 to the Constitution of the United States constitute what is known as the Bill of Rights on an American flag.

What Is the Emoluments Clause?

Aspirin pills.

7 Drugs that Changed the World

Happy, smiling, flying pig

7 Everyday English Idioms and Where They Come From

solar flare: Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

News •

Aditya-L1 Catches a Massive X6.3 Solar Flare in Unprecedented Detail • Apr. 28, 2025, 1:34 AM ET (SciTechDaily)

Photos and Videos

The Sun, photographed by astronauts on NASA's Skylab 4 mission (Nov. 16, 1973–Feb. 8, 1974). This image shows a spectacular solar flare, with a base more than 591,000 km (367,000 miles) across.

Earth's magnetosphere

solar flare and shock wave in Sun's atmosphere

Learn how solar flares can affect satellites, rockets, telecommunications systems and activity on the surface of the Earth

Study a solar flare in different wavelengths of light as observed by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly, April 8, 2010

See All Videos and Images →

Topics

solar maximum solar activity solar cycle sunspot solar prominence facula

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

Sun: Flares

Quiz

Nicolaus Copernicus. Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543) Polish astronomer. In 1543 he published, forward proof of a Heliocentric (sun centered) universe. Coloured stipple engraving published London 1802. De revolutionibus orbium coelestium libri vi.

All About Astronomy