Astronomy Practice Exam

Which phenomenon involves a bright burst of light on the Sun's surface?

1. Prominences

2. Solar Flares

3. Sunspots

4. Corona

The correct answer is: Solar Flares

The phenomenon that involves a bright burst of light on the Sun's surface is the solar flare. Solar flares are intense bursts of radiation that occur in the solar atmosphere, particularly in regions around sunspots. These flares can release a tremendous amount of energy, equivalent to millions of nuclear bombs exploding at once. During a solar flare, the energy is released in the form of electromagnetic radiation across a wide range of wavelengths, including visible light, ultraviolet light, and X-rays. This sudden release of energy heats the plasma in the surrounding area and causes it to emit large amounts of light, resulting in the bright burst that is characteristic of solar flares. Prominences, while also associated with solar activity, are large, bright features that extend outward from the Sun's surface and are different from the rapid and intense brightness of a flare. Sunspots are cooler, darker regions on the Sun's surface and do not emit bursts of light. The corona is the outermost layer of the Sun's atmosphere and appears as a halo during a solar eclipse, but is not specifically tied to the burst of light phenomenon like solar flares are.