Do Solar Flares effect the Earth in any way?
Yes, the intense UV radiation leads to changes in Earth’s ionosphere, causing radio blackouts and scintillation in the GPS system. The energetic particles accelerated in the most powerful flares can cause damage to satellites and can even be dangerous to highflying airplanes (in particular on polar routes). More details at: http://www.windows.ucar.edu/spaceweather/spweather_5.html and http://www.windows.ucar.edu/spaceweather/basic_facts.html Dr.
