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Solar activity

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Encyclopedia of Planetary Science

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Earth Science ((EESS))

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The Sun is a variable star. A variety of transient phenomena are observed on and near its visible surface, including dark sunspots, bright faculae (Latin for ‘little torches’), looping prominences and explosive flares (Plate 1).’ solar activity’ is a general, inclusive term employed to characterize these and other phenomena, along with their variations in time. Some effects of solar activity are propagated throughout the solar system by the streaming solar wind (q.v.). In the vicinity of the Earth, results of solar activity include auroras (q.v.), geomagnetic storms (q.v.) and on occasion regional power outages (Allen et al., 1989). Telecommunications may be disrupted and the orbits of satellites perturbed. In order to understand the nature of the near-Earth and interplanetary environment it is necessary to gain an understanding of the nature and effects of solar activity.

PLATE 1
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Authors
  1. James H. Shirley
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© 1997 Chapman & Hall

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Shirley, J.H. (1997). Solar activity . In: Encyclopedia of Planetary Science. Encyclopedia of Earth Science. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-4520-4_369

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-4520-4_369

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-412-06951-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-4520-2

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