zonnestorm

A zonnestorm, or solar storm, is a disturbance on the Sun that affects the space environment around Earth. These storms are caused by the release of magnetic energy from the Sun's surface. The most common types of solar storms are solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Solar flares are sudden bursts of radiation from the Sun, while CMEs are massive eruptions of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun's corona.

When these events occur, they can send charged particles and electromagnetic radiation towards Earth at high speeds. The Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere usually protect us from the worst of these effects. However, powerful solar storms can still have impacts. These can include disruptions to satellite communications, power grids, and navigation systems like GPS. Auroras, also known as the Northern and Southern Lights, are a beautiful visual consequence of solar storms interacting with Earth's atmosphere.

Scientists monitor the Sun constantly to predict and understand solar storms. By studying these events, they can better prepare for potential disruptions and learn more about the Sun's behavior and its influence on our solar system. The frequency and intensity of solar storms vary with the Sun's approximately 11-year cycle.