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Solar Activity and Solar EruptionsOur Sun is a dynamic, ever-changing star. In general, its atmosphere displays major variation on an 11-year cycle. Throughout the cycle, the atmosphere occasionally exhibits large, sudden outbursts of energy. These "solar eruptions" manifest themselves in the form of solar flares, filament eruptions, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and energetic particle releases. They are of high interest to scientists both because they represent fundamental processes that occur in various astrophysical context, and because, if directed toward Earth, they can disrupt Earth-based systems and satellites. Research over the last few decades has shown that the source of the eruptions is localized regions of energy-storing magnetic field on the Sun that become destabilized, leading to a release of the stored energy. Solar scientists have (probably) unraveled the basic outline of what happens in these eruptions, but many details are still not understood. In recent years we have been studying what triggers these magnetic eruptions, using ground-based and satellite-based solar observations in combination with predictions from various theoretical models. We will present an overview of solar activity and solar eruptions, give results from some of our own research, and discuss questions that remain to be explored.
Document ID
20060016372
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Sterling, Alphonse C.
(National Space Science and Technology Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2006
Subject Category
Solar Physics
Meeting Information
Meeting: Total Solar Eclipse: Astronomy and Culture Conference
Location: Cape Coast
Country: Ghana
Start Date: March 27, 2006
End Date: March 31, 2006
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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