solar flare

American  

noun

Astronomy.

1. flare.

---

solar flare British  

noun

1. Sometimes shortened to: flare.  a brief powerful eruption of particles and intense electromagnetic radiation from the sun's surface, associated with sunspots and causing disturbances to radio communication on earth See also solar wind

---

solar flare Scientific  

1. A sudden eruption of hydrogen gas in the chromosphere of the Sun, usually associated with sunspots. Solar flares may last between several hours and several days, and have temperatures ranging from 20 to 100 million degrees K. The energy of a solar flare, which consists primarily of charged particles and x-rays, is comparable to tens of millions of hydrogen bombs, but is less than one-tenth the total energy emitted by the Sun every second. First observed in 1859, solar flares dramatically affect the Sun's weather and the solar wind, and are correlated with the appearance of auroras on the Earth.

2. See also prominence

---

Etymology

Origin of solar flare

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

The researchers point to recent major earthquakes in Japan, including the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake, as events that occurred shortly after periods of intense solar flare activity.

From Science Daily • Feb. 24, 2026

In mid-November 2025, a large solar flare erupted from the surface of the Sun, resulting in a spectacular display of the Northern Lights in the UK.

From BBC • Dec. 28, 2025

It was a solar flare, starting somewhere deep inside of him and growing into a full-blown emoji.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 24, 2024

In December, the biggest solar flare in years disrupted radio communications.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 24, 2024

If severe enough, a solar flare could cause the crew to become sick, and perhaps even die.

From "Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story" by Michael Collins