Solar flares vs. coronal mass ejections: Here's which once gives us the northern lights
Solar flares are nothing new to Earth and we have experienced quite a few this year, but this weekend the sun let out a coronal mass ejection which is something a bit different.
On Saturday, the sun emitted a coronal mass ejection (CME). Which are large expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the sun's atmosphere known as the corona, according to Space.org. The CME also takes a bit longer to get to us compared to a solar flare as well.
While the CME was first reported on Saturday we won't see the affects on Earth until today in the form of the aurora borealis.
Here's everything you need to know about this and other space weather topics.
What is a coronal mass ejection?
These slow moving expulsions of plasma and magnetic fields can cause issues on Earth, but are often heralded as a good thing for the light show they also provide.
CMEs have been known to affect power grids, telecommunication networks and orbiting satellites and expose astronauts to dangerous doses of radiation, according to Space.com. The expulsions are also the reason we get to see the aurora borealis in the United States without having to make a very long trek north.
How fast does a coronal mass ejection travel vs. a solar flare?
A CME can reach speeds of almost 1,900 miles per second. At that speed one can reach Earth in about 15 to 18 hours. But CMEs do like to take their time to get to Earth. At the slowest speed a CME travels around 155 miles per second and can take several days to arrive, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
As for solar flares that burst forth electromagnetic radiation, they can reach Earth in a matter of minutes, according to Space.com.
Will Tennessee see aurora borealis this week?
Sadly no.
The aurora borealis that could be produced from this latest CME would only be visible in the far north of upper Midwest States, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Tennesseans did get to see the rare sight of the northern lights in May and there is a chance we can see them again over the next couple of years or so.
NASA scientists predict, the solar maximum, or the next peak in solar activity, will occur in July 2025. This means the northern lights will start to get stronger and more frequent as the solar maximum approaches, reported USA TODAY.
What is a solar flare?
A solar flare is an intense burst of radiation from the sun associated with sunspots that release magnetic energy out into space, according to NASA. Flares can last several minutes to several hours.
These giant explosions from the sun send energy, light, and particles throughout the solar system. Sometimes this burst of energy can cause geomagnetic storms on Earth.
How often do solar flares happen?
Solar flares aren't really that uncommon. We've had multiple events occur since the start of the new year.
According to NASA, the frequency of solar flares depends on their size, with small ones erupting more often than big ones. The number of flares also increases as the sun nears solar maximum, which is currently happening.
This solar cycle is approximately 11 years of solar activity driven by the sun's magnetic field and indicated by the frequency and intensity of visible sunspots on the surface. The peak of Solar Cycle 25 started in January and goes through October, which means we could see more solar flares in the coming months.
Solar flares decrease as the sun nears solar minimum. So, throughout the 11-year solar cycle, flares may occur several times a day or only a few times per month, according to NASA.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Coronal mass ejection vs. solar flare: 1 gives us the aurora borealis
