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The Mysterious Origins of Solar Flares: New observations are beginning to reveal what triggers these hughes explosions of the sun's atmosphereSolar flares can release the energy equivalent of billions of atomic bombs in the span of just a few minutes. These explosions give off a burst of x-rays and charged particles, some of which may later hit Earth, endangering satellites and causing power outages. The sun's tumultuous magnetic fields provide the fuel of flares. The sudden release of energy in a flare results from a process called reconnection, whereby oppositely directed magnetic field lines come together and partially annihilate each other. Although theoretical studies of magnetic reconnection on the sun have been carried out for decades, only recently have space probes uncovered observational evidence for this phenomenon. The telltale signs include pointed magnetic loops located below the spot where magnetic reconnection is taking place.
Document ID
20060013111
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Holman, Gordon D.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2006
Publication Information
Publication: Scientific American
Subject Category
Solar Physics
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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