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Solar Belt Research Paper

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Never heard of a solar flare? No Problem! This next paragraph will explain what a solar flare is and a little insight on how each stage, or factor, affects the Earth when released. When magnetic energy that has built up in the sun’s atmosphere is suddenly released it creates a solar flare. Radiation is then released across most of the electromagnetic spectrum and “the amount of energy released is the equivalent to millions of 100-megaton bombs exploding at the same time” (“Solar Flares”)! While harmful radiation can’t pass through the atmosphere of Earth, it can, when strong enough, disrupt GPS and communication signals around the world ( Karen C. Fox). A solar flare could reach temperatures from 20 million degrees Kelvin, or about 35,999,540°F to 100 million degrees Kelvin, or around 179,999,540°F. (“Solar Flares”). These solar flares can still effect the Earth, although the scorching heat cannot make it to the Earth, the electromagnetic radiation can. A solar flare can temporarily disrupt communications systems and GPS satellites in Earth’s atmosphere (Karen C. Fox). An even more disruptive type of solar flare is a coronal mass ejection. A solar flare strong …show more content…

The first is the precursor stage where magnetic energy is released. In the second stage, known as the impulsive stage, protons and electrons energies are accelerated. During this stage radio waves, hard x-rays, and gamma rays are emitted. In the third stage, called the decay stage, is the buildup of soft x-rays and then the decay of the soft x-rays. The duration of the precursor, impulsive, and decay stages can take anywhere from a few seconds up to one hour. Solar flares form in a layer of the sun called the corona, the outermost layer, where the gases can reach a few million degrees Kelvin(“Solar Flares”). Solar flares normally erupt from sunspots. Typically, these sunspots are temporarily cooler, darker, and the local magnetic field is relatively

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