The sun continuously produces billions of electrically charged particles, generated when hydrogen atoms are stripped apart in intense heat, due to fusion taking place in it. The  negatively charged electrons are blown outward, being less constrained by gravity than the weightier, positively charged protons. The earth is surrounded by magnetic fields known as the magnetosphere, which deflects these charged particles coming from the sun, thereby shielding our planet from harmful radiation.  Otherwise, the streams of charged particles from the sun, called solar winds, can erode our atmosphere.

Frequently, there are sudden eruptions or flares on the sun, that can cause more intense solar winds. These Solar flares are highly explosive events that can last for hours and can be detected using X-rays or other devices. Recent research published in Nature Physics, offers a clearer understanding of these phenomena. There is a region in space enveloping the earth, called Geospace, which  includes the upper atmosphere, known as ionosphere (the ionized part of the atmosphere) and the  magnetosphere (above 1000 km from the ground). This region is directly bombarded by the solar winds.

Earth’s protective barrier against solar winds produced by solar flares, prevents these particles from entering the planet’s atmospheric layers. Studies have shown that when the direction of solar wind is opposite to earth’s magnetic field, the magnetic lines from these two can connect. This means that some solar wind particles can be directly transmitted into the space surrounding the earth. Can the flare processes,  characterized by enhanced radiation, not only directly affect the earth’s ionosphere, but also cause disturbance in the magnetosphere ?

To answer this question, a series of observations were made by global satellites, the European radar network and lunar orbiting satellites, during a solar flare event that took place on 6th  September 2017. A rapid and large increase in flare-induced ionization at earth’s altitudes between 90 and 150 km was observed. It showed that solar flare effects extend throughout the Geospace and are not limited to the atmospheric region where radiation energy is absorbed. Sometimes, the millions of tons of these particles, appearing as super-heated gaseous jets, shoot off from the surface of the sun toward earth. When they hit the earth’s magnetic field, strong  storms are triggered. Few people even know it happens.

These solar storms can cripple power grids, radio communications, airlines and satellites by their dangerous radiation. These powerful changes in space can create havoc for humans, threatening chaos in the world. In the past, many solar storms caused hugely destructive hurricanes. Brilliant auroras are produced during these geomagnetic solar storms, when electrons accelerating toward earth, racing at approximately 45 million miles per hour, interact with the earth’s magnetic field lines.  They collide with oxygen and nitrogen molecules, raising them into excited states. These excited molecules de-excite by emitting light, producing the colorful hues of the aurora.