Solar Flares Can Disrupt Communications

Sun approaching period of maximum activity.
Inside Science Television

Inside Science Buzzwords:

1. Solar flare  - a buildup of magnetic energy on the surface of the sun that is suddenly released through the ejection of charged particles into space

2. Solar cycle - the 11-year cycle of solar activity from solar minimum to solar maximum, which is monitored by measuring the amount of sunspots on the sun's surface.

3. Sunspots -dark spots on the surface of the sun where magnetic activity builds up.