Home Reports Earth Sciences Content

First detection of flare from total solar irradiance observations

next article

24.06.2004

An analysis of total solar irradiance data has allowed researchers to make the first detections of a solar flare from radiation-sensing satellites. Woods et al. report that total solar irradiance dropped by an unprecedented 0.34 percent during the strong solar storm in October-November 2003, because of large, dark sunspots observed by two NASA satellite missions.

They also present data showing marked short-term solar radiation increases during one of the strongest X-class events seen during the event. The two-week solar storm included unusually powerful flare and particle eruptions that produced 44 M (moderate)-class flares and 11 X (extreme)-class flares, including a powerful X28-sized flare.

The satellite data provide the first definitive measurement of a flare detected using total solar irradiance instruments, which also recorded unexpected ultraviolet variations over a broad wavelength from the Sun’s storm.

Title: Solar irradiance variability during the October 2003 solar storm period

Thomas N. Woods | Source: Geophysical Research Letters
Further information: www.agu.org

next article