How Solar Flares Work and the Risks They Pose
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Learn what a solar flare is, what type of radiation they release, how much of a risk they present to Earth, and how scientists predict them.
![](https://www.esa.int/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2014/11/giant_solar_flare/14819259-1-eng-GB/Giant_solar_flare_pillars.gif)
ESA - What are solar flares?
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Nasa images show 'amazing' solar flare that caused radio
![](https://cff2.earth.com/uploads/2023/12/03070057/aurora_northern-lights_mountain_1medium.jpg)
Auroras are visible further south as the solar storm cycle peaks
![](https://www.weather.gov/images/news/solar-cycle-25-prediction-2023.png)
NOAA forecasts quicker, stronger peak of solar activity
![](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/G96ZZvA4hIEACHRp4G-YNYiRLew=/275x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-155439194-58b73fd35f9b5880804c1963.jpg)
How Solar Flares Work and the Risks They Pose
![](https://scx2.b-cdn.net/gfx/news/hires/2022/solar-flare.jpg)
Strong solar flare erupts from the sun
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9RoaWTtHJk6RhKtgqhKAYR-1200-80.jpg)
Could a solar storm ever destroy Earth?
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/j4g6mjV3tNakpuQHDgKLuR-1200-80.jpg)
What are solar flares?
![](https://www.spaceweather.gc.ca/images/tech/spaceeffects.gif)
/images/tech/spaceeffects.gi
![](https://www.weather.gov/images/safety/space-infographic650.jpg)
Space Weather and Safety
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The Next Solar Storm Cycle Could Massively Disrupt the Internet
![](https://m.wsj.net/video-atmo/20231004/279e3cda-874f-4111-bad7-bb2b1a436270/1/smeshort_1920x1080.jpg)
The Next Big Solar Storm Could Fry the Grid - WSJ
![](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/LXbj01DBzsWhjWKX7r6FMukWzNQ=/275x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/green-flash-as-the-sun-sets-519063628-58daa51e3df78c5162b11b3e.jpg)
How Solar Flares Work and the Risks They Pose
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What Damage Could Be Caused by a Massive Solar Storm?
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Should You Really Worry about Solar Flares?