What causes solar flares to occur?
Dear Carolyn, You just asked one of the toughest questions we have in solar physics. To date we are not entirely sure what causes the eruption of a solar flare. We do know that it has a lot to do with the magnetic field of the Sun and how it develops in an active region. What can happen is that the magnetic field can get twisted as the surface of the Sun moves around and that a twisted field can build up energy (a bit like twisting an elastic band). Eventually, we think, that the amount of extra energy becomes too much for the field to hold on to and so it has to get rid of it. When it does this it does it very quickly and creates a lot of heat, lots of charged particles (electrons and protons) and very fast gas motions. Again, think of the elastic band. If you twist it too much it snaps with a loud noise and a lot of motion (watch your fingers if you try this). Thanks for your question. Maybe someday in the future you will be able to answer this one for yourself.
