A Rare Celestial Phenomenon Observed On 23 April 2024- "The Sympathetic Solar Flares ": In Which 4 Solar Flares Erupted From Diverse Sunspots In a Coordinated Manner At A Close Proximity
- Ananya Sharma
- Apr 27, 2024
- 6 min read
Hello, Everyone!
On the 23rd Of April, a rare celestial phenomenon was observed called the "sympathetic solar flares" and this phenomenon had been captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory and unveiled the complex magnetic interactions.
Let us delve into this enigmatic cosmic event and understand concepts such as solar flares, sunspots, Sympathetic Solar Flares and their impact on our Earth, Coronal Mass Ejection, solar cycle, and solar maximum.
So let's get started.
ABOUT EVENT:
Four solar flares detonated in a coordinated way on the sun's surface from diverse sunspots connected through the sun's invisible magnetic loops in the sun's uppermost layer -Corona. Such an occurrence of solar flares in a coordinated way is called a super-sympathetic Solar Flare.
Pic Source : Indian Express
SYMPATHETIC SOLAR FLARES: These are rare cosmic events in which a multitude of eruptions occur from diverse sunspots' proximity connected by the Sun's magnetic field loops in the Corona region of the sun.
REASON OF SYMPATHETIC SOLAR FLARE:
The instability in the Sun's magnetic field or a disruption or a change in the magnetic field is the main culprit behind this rare occurrence. An instability formed within the magnetic loops connecting various sunspots. This instability travels alongside the connected loops to further sunspots regions stimulating the discharge of built-up magnetic energy in every sunspot resulting in multiple solar flares in the proximity.
IMPACT OF SYMPATHETIC SOLAR FLARE ON OUR EARTH :
It is not certain by far. However, according to scientists the discharged material might stimulate CME{Coronal Mass Ejection } to the surface of our Earth. It might warp radio communication and power grids, telecommunication channels, and satellite electronics. The astronauts who are on spacewalks at the International Space Station might, be prone to hazardous radiation.
Now we will understand the basics of solar events such as Solar Flares, Sunspots, Sympathetic Solar Flares and their influence on Earth, Coronal Mass Ejection, Solar cycle, and Solar Maximum.
UNDERSTANDING BASICS OF SOLAR EVENTS:
-> 1. SOLAR FLARES: The solar flares are explosions of EM radiation on the sun's surface. It is due to the accumulation of magnetic energy in the Sun's environment that is quickly released into the cosmos at a large scale. The type of the solar flare is based on the potency of the flare. The X-class is referred to as the most potent. After X-class; M-Class, C-Class, and B-class are in the decreasing order of their potency. The A-class solar flare is marked as the smallest one. According to the thorough analysis, these solar flares are closely linked with the 11-year solar cycle of events triggered by the Sun's magnetic field.{this we are going to understand in the below parts}.
Pic Source: Space.com
-> 2. SUNSPOTS: These are darker and cooler areas of highly potent magnetic fields on the Sun's environment generally the photosphere. They always occur in pairs with positive and negative magnetic polarities. These are formed when large amounts of the magnetic field underneath the Sun's surface reach the topmost layer. These are comparatively darker and cooler areas in the sun's atmosphere. The much darker area is referred to as the Umbra with a temperature of 3000 to 4,500 degrees Celcius which is lesser than the temperature at the sun's surface -5,500 degrees Celcius; however, the visibly lighter region is referred to as the Penumbra. The size of these sunspots differs from several 100 km to multitudes of Earth's size. The number of times they appear and their intensity are based on the magnetic fields which hints about an eleven-year solar cycle. The highly potent magnetic fields warp the convection process in the photosphere, lowering the temperature of this region. Due to the comparatively lower temperature, we see these sunspots as darker areas in the sun's atmosphere.
Pic Source: Space.com
-> 3. SYMPATHETIC SOLAR FLARES: These are rare cosmic events in which a multitude of eruptions occur from diverse sunspots' proximity connected by the Sun's magnetic field loops in the Corona region of the sun's atmosphere.
NUANCED APPROACH TO UNDERSTAND THEM:
As we have understood sunspots, are the darker and cooler areas of highly potent magnetic fields on the Sun's environment generally the photosphere.
The Suns' corona and its outer layer have the property of being charged with hot plasma-ionized gas owing to the charged particles. The electrically charged ions when move, produce a magnetic field. The very potent magnetic field beneath the corona connects the numerous sunspots. The very powerful magnetic field at sunspots warps the usual flow of hot plasma-ionized particles within the sun.
The instabilities {changes in the magnetic fields} might exist inside the magnetic field of the sun.
Let us suppose we have a stretched rubberband, and the twists but when we let go it breaks the band.
Likewise, these magnetic instabilities are similar to twists or ties in a rubber band.
The magnetic field develops and increases at sunspots owing to the tangle formation in the invisible magnetic field lines at specific locations, which contribute to highly potent concentrated magnetic fields at specific regions.
The differential or varied rates of rotation, of our sun make the magnetic field become twisted/ tangled. Localized regions; where these nodules of magnetic field lines snap the sun's surface mark the formation of sunspots.
One reason that can raise the magnetic field is magnetic reconnection in which the twisted magnetic field lines reconnect and snap with each other similar to the rubber bands. This phenomenon is referred to as magnetic reconnection. It might lead to massive amounts of energy through heat, light, and high-energy particles. This can lead to Solar Flares and Coronal Mass Ejections.
Thus, the magnetic energy inside the sunspots peaks because they have a magnetic field thousandfold more potent than the typical magnetic field at the surface of the sun. And this field warps the usual flow of hot ionized plasma, the tangle formation also leads the magnetic fields at the sunspots to peak. Lastly, the magnetic reconnection may be the reason for the rising magnetic fields.
The instabilities -changes of the magnetic fields occurring at one magnetic loop traverse across all the connected loops to various sunspot areas. This quick transfer of energy leads to an explosion of accumulated high magnetic energy in every connected sunspot, triggering a multitude of solar flares to explode in a coordinated manner. Henceforth, the invisible magnetic loops act as pathways for energy transfer causing the diverse sunspots at different locations to erupt synchronously just because of one magnetic instability.
-> 4. EFFECT OF SYMPATHETIC SOLAR FLARES ON OUR EARTH: Certain effects are not authorized by far by scientists' occurrence; however, as we discussed above this might lead to the occurrence of coronal mass ejection, distorted power grids, disrupt radio communication lines, disruption of satellite electronics and pose a potential threat to astronauts at ISS-International Space Station.
-> 5. CORONAL MASS EJECTION: These refer to the eruptions of the sun's magnetic field along with hot plasma at the sun's Coronal region of its mysterious environment. It consists of protons and electrons. The potent magnetic field is entailed within the ejected plasma. These are associated with solar flares of high intensity, it might be possible that the extremely large magnetic fields in the high-class solar flares might trigger the Coronal Mass Ejections. Also, the magnetic instability or sudden change in the magnetic field may lead to these ejections.Reconnection of twisted magnetic field lines might initiate such a massive explosion.
Pic Source: Live Science
-> 6. UNDERSTANDING SOLAR CYCLE,WHAT IS SOLAR MAXIMUM & WHAT IS SOLAR MINIMUM: The solar cycle refers to the repetitive time cycle through which the sun's magnetic field undergoes about every 11 years. Our sun is a hot sphere of plasma-ionized gas. With the movement of this ionized gas, a highly potent magnetic field is produced. As the plasma moves the magnetic field is generated {because a moving electric charge leads to the creation of a magnetic field}. This created magnetic field undergoes a time cycle of 11 years, marked as the Solar Cycle.
After the completion of the time interval of 11 -years, the sun's magnetic fields experience a turnover i.e. North pole comes at the South pole & vice - versa. For the magnetic poles to get back to their original position, another 11 years occur.
To get an idea of the solar -cycle, the amount of sunspots is calculated. More Sunspots mean the solar cycle is increasing, maximum sunspots occur at the half of the solar cycle called the SOLAR MAXIMUM. However, the initial phase of the solar cycle is referred to as SOLAR MINIMUM. As the solar cycle increases solar events such as sunspots and Coronal Mass Ejections rise.
QUICK REVIEW ON SYMPATHETIC SOLAR FLARES:-
For sympathetic solar flares {Eruptions of high magnetic fields from diverse sunspots connected by the invisible magnetic field lines }, the instabilities -changes of the magnetic fields occurring at one magnetic loop traverse across all the connected loops to various sunspot areas. This quick transfer of energy leads to an explosion of accumulated high magnetic energy in every connected sunspot, triggering a multitude of solar flares to explode in a coordinated manner. Henceforth, the invisible magnetic loops act as pathways for energy transfer causing the diverse sunspots at different locations to erupt synchronously just because of one magnetic instability. Such an eruption is referred to as a Sympathetic Solar Flare.
The complete understanding can be referred from the NUANCED APPROACH TO UNDERSTAND THEM section under SYMPATHETIC SOLAR FLARES HEADING.
Thank You
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Such a wonderful post...😊....with great comprehensive approach...🏆 ...
Highly informative blog post
This post provides an intriguing exploration of the "sympathetic solar flares" phenomenon observed on April 23, 2024, delving into solar events like flares and sunspots, their impacts, and the rare coordination observed. It offers valuable insights for space enthusiasts and curious minds alike. Wonderful post !!