Sun,Earth and solar flare,artwork. Solar flares are eruptions in the solar atmosphere that cause a large increase in levels of dangerous radiation and charged particles. If a flare hits Earth (bottom),some of the charged particles will be diverted by its magnetic field,but neutral particles,high-energy particles,and radiation can penetrate to the surface. Radiation levels in space can be lethal,and raised radiation levels at the surface can damage genetic material,causing mutations. Solar flares also severely disrupt communications via satellite and radio. Here,the distance between the Earth and the Sun is not to scale |