Solar flares significantly increase the amount of radiation emitted from the Sun, producing intense bursts of electromagnetic radiation across the entire spectrum, including X-rays, gamma rays, ultraviolet light, visible light, and radio waves. These flares originate from the sudden release of magnetic energy stored in the Sun's atmosphere, particularly around sunspots with strong magnetic fields

. Key points on how solar flares affect solar radiation:

• Radiation Types and Intensity : Solar flares emit ionizing radiation such as X-rays and gamma rays, which are much more intense than the Sun’s normal background radiation. The radiation intensity can vary widely, with flares classified from weakest (A-class) to strongest (X-class), where each class represents roughly a tenfold increase in energy output. The most powerful flares can release energy equivalent to billions of hydrogen bombs

• Duration and Speed : These bursts can last from minutes to hours, and the radiation travels at the speed of light, reaching Earth about 8 minutes after the flare occurs

• Effect on Solar Radiation Output : During a flare, the Sun’s emission of X-rays and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation spikes sharply, increasing ionization and heating in planetary atmospheres. This sudden increase in high-energy radiation temporarily boosts the total radiation output of the Sun beyond its usual levels

• Associated Phenomena : Solar flares often accompany coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which can add magnetic energy bursts and charged particles to the radiation environment, though CMEs themselves are distinct from the electromagnetic radiation emitted by flares

In summary, solar flares cause a rapid and substantial increase in the Sun’s emitted radiation, especially in high-energy wavelengths like X-rays and gamma rays, temporarily enhancing the Sun’s radiation output far above normal levels