Päikesepursetena

Päikesepursetena refers to solar flares, which are sudden, intense bursts of radiation directed at the Earth from the Sun. These flares are electromagnetic phenomena that occur in the Sun's atmosphere, specifically in the photosphere and chromosphere. They are caused by the release of magnetic energy that has been stored in the Sun's corona. This energy release can manifest as a rapid increase in brightness across a broad range of the electromagnetic spectrum, from radio waves to X-rays and gamma rays.

The intensity and duration of solar flares vary greatly. The most energetic flares can release vast amounts of energy equivalent to millions of hydrogen bombs exploding simultaneously. When directed towards Earth, these flares can have significant impacts. The charged particles and radiation emitted can disrupt radio communications, GPS signals, and power grids. They can also pose a radiation hazard to astronauts in space and, to a lesser extent, to passengers and crew on high-altitude aircraft.

Solar flares are often associated with other solar activity, such as coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which are large expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun's corona. While flares are primarily bursts of radiation, CMEs involve the physical ejection of matter. The combined effects of flares and CMEs can lead to space weather events that affect Earth. Scientists monitor solar activity using ground-based observatories and space-based solar telescopes to predict and understand these phenomena.