Solar flares are powerful eruptions on the Sun that release energy stored in twisted magnetic fields, accelerating particles and emitting radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum. They occur most often in active regions around sunspots where magnetic fields are strong, and they’re commonly associated with magnetic reconnection—the rapid reconfiguration of magnetic field lines that converts magnetic energy into kinetic energy, heat, and accelerated particles. This process can also drive coronal mass ejections in some cases. Key points

• What triggers them: Magnetic energy buildup in the solar atmosphere, followed by rapid release via magnetic reconnection.
• Where they happen: In active regions of the Sun, typically near sunspots where magnetic fields are intense.
• What they do: Accelerate electrons and other particles, producing radiation from radio waves to X-rays; can cause space weather impacts near Earth.
• Related phenomena: Flares often accompany coronal mass ejections (CMEs), though the exact relationship varies between events.

If you’d like, I can tailor this to a specific level (high school, university, or layperson) or add a simple analogy to help explain magnetic reconnection and energy release.