Students from Cramlington Learning Village and their Orbyts Fellows Holly Cunningham, Vishal Singh, and Yash Saneshwar from Northumbria University aimed to unravel the intricate relationship between solar flares and geomagnetic activity! Solar flares, bursts of radiation from the Sun's surface, can have a profound impact on Earth's magnetic field, causing geomagnetic storms.

Their investigation focused on analysing the evolution of solar flares across different wavelengths and their subsequent impact on geomagnetic activity. By studying a range of flares, from the less intense C-class to the more powerful M-class and X-class, they sought to understand the conditions that lead to geomagnetic storms.

The study revealed that while individual C-class flares may not trigger significant geomagnetic activity, their cumulative effect over time can contribute to increased geomagnetic disturbances. In contrast, M-class flares, particularly those occurring under specific solar wind conditions, were found to have a more direct impact on Earth's magnetic field. Although X-class flares can trigger powerful geomagnetic storms due to their intensity, they actually contribute to fewer storms overall compared to M-class flares due to their rarer occurrence.

These findings shed light on the complex interplay between solar activity and Earth's magnetosphere. By understanding the mechanisms behind geomagnetic storms, scientists can better predict and mitigate their potential consequences, such as disruptions to communication systems, power grids, and satellite operations!