An active region on the Sun almost directly aimed at Earth erupted with an X 1.6 flare (the most powerful class) on 10 September, 2014. There was a coronal mass ejection associated with the event. The flare lasted longer than usual and sent out a burst of radiation into space. The time-laps movie below shows the bright flare and the ensuing coils of magnetic loops flickering over a period of roughly five hours. The images used to create the movie were taken in a wavelength of extreme ultraviolet light by the Solar Dynamics Observatory.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOEYnWRnXUI]Video Credit: NASA.
John, are you aware of any particles associated with flares and associated CMEs that would be detectable with a cloud chamber (the dry ice and isopropyl alcohol type)?
A CME results in a proton storm that blanks out most cosmic rays reaching the Earth’s surface, but the protons can show up in a cloud chamber.
Thanks. Daughter #2 wants to do one for her science fair, and with the increase in solar activity it would be cool to demonstrate it while a CME was occurring if we’re lucky enough to get one during the fair.