Question: what is a solar flare

Paul Higgins answered on 14 Nov 2012:

A solar flare is a type of explosion on the Sun, where magnetic fields “break” and release radiation such as x-rays, and also launch electrons and protons into space at near the speed of light. Sunspots are dark spots on the Sun where strong magnetic fields are condensed and sometimes get tangled up. When this happens, they can become very unstable- so when they “relax” they release a lot of energy. It is like if you try to balance a pencil on its tip, it is unstable. If the pencil falls over, it becomes more stable, and the “bang” it makes when it hits the table is like the solar flare.