Sun’s ‘Flickering’ Loops Could Predict Dangerous Solar Flares
Scientists have discovered that glowing plasma loops on the Sun flicker before powerful solar flares erupt. This finding could help predict space weather more accurately.
What Are Solar Flares?
Solar flares are massive explosions of energy from the Sun. They happen when magnetic fields on the Sun’s surface twist and snap. These flares release strong radiation, which can cause radio blackouts on Earth.
Flares often occur near dark spots on the Sun called sunspots. Before a flare erupts, plasma on the Sun’s surface forms bright, horseshoe-shaped loops called coronal loops. These loops hold superheated gas and energy before they burst out into space.
How Do They Affect Earth?
Some solar flares also send out huge clouds of charged particles called coronal mass ejections (CMEs). When these reach Earth, they can cause geomagnetic storms, disrupting power grids, satellites, and GPS systems.
Recently, solar storms have knocked some satellites out of orbit. Even GPS signals used in farming and transport have been affected. If these storms are strong enough, they can also create stunning auroras (Northern and Southern Lights).
How Can Flickering Help Predict Flares?
Scientists studied 50 solar flares using NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). They found that before a flare erupts, the coronal loops flicker with tiny flashes of ultraviolet (UV) light.
This flickering can give a 2 to 6-hour warning before a solar flare with 60-80% accuracy. The stronger the flickering, the more powerful the flare. This discovery could greatly improve space weather forecasts.
Why Is This Important?
Right now, the Sun is at its most active phase, called the solar maximum, which happens every 11 years. Scientists are struggling to predict flares accurately. Better warnings could help protect satellites, power grids, and even astronauts in space.
NASA says more research is needed, but this method could be a big step toward more accurate space weather predictions.
