A solar flare is a spectacular explosive event where the Sun suddenly releases enormous amounts of electromagnetic radiation—equivalent to billions of hydrogen bombs detonating simultaneously. These dramatic outbursts occur when twisted magnetic field lines in the Sun's corona suddenly snap and reconnect, launching energy across the entire electromagnetic spectrum from radio waves to X-rays.</p><p>Solar flares are classified by their X-ray intensity, ranging from minor A-class events to powerful X-class flares that can be 10,000 times stronger. The most intense flare ever recorded, in 2003, was so powerful it overloaded measuring instruments. These events typically last minutes to hours and can reach temperatures of 10-20 million degrees Celsius.</p><p>First documented by astronomer Richard Carrington in 1859, solar flares can dramatically impact Earth. The accompanying Carrington Event caused telegraph lines to spark and catch fire, while auroras appeared as far south as the Caribbean. Modern consequences include satellite damage, GPS disruptions, and power grid failures—the 1989 Quebec blackout affected 6 million people for nine hours.</p><p>Solar flares also accelerate charged particles toward Earth, creating beautiful auroras but potentially endangering astronauts and airline crews on polar routes. Understanding these solar tantrums is crucial for protecting our increasingly technology-dependent civilization.