Solar flare

A solar flare is the sudden release of energy from the sun lasting from a few minutes to several hours, with a varied spectrum (radio, X-rays, gamma rays etc.) and particles of intense energy (fast protons).

The first observed solar flare was spotted by the English astronomer Richard Carrington on 1 September 1859 when he saw a very bright spot appear on the Sun's surface that remained for 5 minutes.