The remarkable aurora in early May this year demonstrated the power that solar storms can emit as radiation, but occasionally the sun does something far more destructive. Known as"solar particle events", these blasts of protons directly from the surface of the sun can shoot out like a searchlight into space.
Earth’s critical magnetic shieldEarth's magnetic field provides a crucial protective cocoon for life, deflecting electrically charged radiation from the sun. In the normal state, it functions like a gigantic bar magnet with field lines rising from one pole, looping around, and plunging back down at the other pole, in a pattern sometimes described as an"inverted grapefruit.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.The power of protonsThe sun's outer atmosphere emits a constant fluctuating stream of electrons and protons known as the"solar wind." However, the sun's surface also sporadically emits bursts of energy, mostly protons, in solar particle events — which are often associated with solar flares.
Less ozone, more radiationBeyond their immediate effect, solar particle events can also kickstart a chain of chemical reactions in the upper atmosphere that can deplete ozone. Ozone absorbs harmful solar UV radiation, which can damage eyesight and also DNA , as well as impacting the climate.