solar flare

noun

Definition of solar flare

: a sudden temporary outburst of energy from a small area of the sun's surface

— called also flare

Examples of solar flare in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The ionosphere can also be affected by certain big events, including solar flares, volcanic eruptions, lightning—and the massive bombs dropped on Germany during World War II. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "World War II bombings weakened upper atmosphere at edge of space," 25 Sep. 2018 The all-optical nature of the vapor cells means that even if they are hit with a massive burst of electromagnetic radiation, like that from a solar flare, they won't be permanently damaged because there is no circuitry to fry. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "A new antenna using single atoms could usher in the age of atomic radio," 19 Sep. 2018 Sometimes sunspots can create solar flares or eruptions in large regions of magnetic activity. — Susan Selasky And Emma Tomsich, Detroit Free Press, "Strawberry moon, Saturn to light up sky tonight," 27 June 2018 In October 2012 and April 2013, solar flares sent beams of electrons shooting into the outer reaches of the solar system. — Sarah Fecht, Popular Mechanics, "NASA: Yes! Voyager 1 Has Reached Interstellar Space," 12 Sep. 2013 And a solar flare that started a low-level geomagnetic storm also could lead to the northern lights over parts of Michigan. — Susan Selasky And Emma Tomsich, Detroit Free Press, "Strawberry moon, Saturn to light up sky tonight," 27 June 2018 What if an asteroid takes out a communications satellite, or a solar flare interrupts a transmission? — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "NASA Brings Space Internet Tech to the ISS," 27 June 2016 That's because the earth's protective shield is weaker above 30,000 feet, and exposure is even higher for flights over the North Pole and during solar flares. — Barbara Peterson, Condé Nast Traveler, "How Your Plane Can Make You Sick," 20 Mar. 2018 The Solar Forecasting Center issued a bulletin warning that severe solar flares were incoming, and that bulletin managed to reach a commanding officer in time to avert action against the Soviets. — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "How a Solar Flare Almost Triggered a Nuclear War in 1967," 10 Aug. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'solar flare.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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solar ecliptic limit

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