When is the next solar storm expected? What effects could you expect? On that note, how far away from the Sun does a solar flare shoot?

The next solar storm is predicted to happen in the years 2000 or 2001. (How old will you be then?)

Solar storms can create big eruptions on the Sun. These eruptions are called solar flares. Solar flares shoot out about 400,000 kilometers above the S un. That would be about the same distance as driving from New York to California and back 50 times! The picture to the left shows how big a solar flare is even compared to the size of the Earth!

Solar flares affect the Earth. They can disrupt radio communications here on Earth. They also make the Northern and Southern lights brighter. So in the next few years, if you see these lights where you've never see n them before, they might just be caused by a solar storm!

When is the next solar storm expected? What effects could you expect? On that note, how far away from the Sun does a solar flare shoot?

Solar storms (which usually include flares) are associated with high numbers of sunspots. The next sunspot maximum will occur sometime in the years 2000 or 2001. So the next solar storms are predicted to occ ur during this time period.

The solar flares which are produced during solar storms could produce drastic effects here on Earth. These solar flares, which arch about 400,000 kilometers above the Sun, produce an increase in the number of charged particles which enter the Earth's at mosphere. This can disrupt long-distance radio communications. It also makes the aurorae (the Northern and Southern lights) brighter. So in the next few years, if you see an aurora where you've never seen it before , it is might just be caused by a solar storm!

The image shows how big a solar flare is compared to the size of the Earth!

When is the next solar storm expected? What effects could you expect? On that note, how far away from the Sun does a solar flare shoot?

Solar storms (which usually include flares or prominences) are associated with high numbers of sunspots. The next sunspot maximum will occur sometime in the years 2000 or 2001, and solar astronomers are predi cting that it could be one of the largest maximums ever. So the next solar storms are predicted to occur during this time period.

Although it is possible that high solar activity affects the weather patterns here on Earth, the effects are likely to be subtle. The solar flares which are produced during solar storms are most likely to produce drastic effects here on Earth. These solar flares, which arch about 400,000 kilometers above the Sun (see image to the left for size comparison), produce an increase in the number of charged particles which strike the Earth's atmosphere. This can disrup t long-distance radio communications. It also enhances the aurorae, causing them to be brighter and thus visible at unusually low latitudes.

Last modified prior to September, 2000 by the Windows Team

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