Solar flare: Quick Facts

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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.

Diagram showing the solar wind, a stream of charged particles from the sun, interacting with Earth's magnetic field and magnetosphere, causing some particles to spiral near the poles and create auroras.

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

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Topics

Today in History—February 27: The Discovery of Solar Radio Waves solar maximum solar activity Facula Solar cycle Sunspot Solar prominence

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Sun: Flares

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.

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