Neil DeGrasse Tyson Explains Solar Flares

Solar flares are a rather common occurrence that, if strong enough, could cause a huge catastrophe on Earth by causing mass communication disruptions and power outages. Our favorite astrophysicist, and host of StarTalk Radio, Neil DeGrasse Tyson explains what a solar flare is and why we should all "chilax."

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[darrenfarley]

I kind of thought I was smart growing up, now I realize I'm stupid when I didn't understand solar flares until he explained it in oatmeal terms. Thanks for dumbing it down for me Neil

[kendrabrecka]

As long as we don't get into the Maze Runner type stuff, we should be fine.

[KedaWoodDye]

I just cannot get my mind around how a gas creates a magnetic field though? Can we even create a gas magnet? Now, if I was told it is static electricity, I could understand that, and the "flares" are the building up of these super heated particles from the massive friction also creating static electricity, and discharges of that static electricity grounding on a say passing object perhaps, or perhaps even particles released by the Sun. It could also be why a heavy "Flare" can take out the grid, from a power surge, but I am really am struggling with gas generating magnetic fields. Heck the static electricity itself, could even be the entire systems dynamo that is generating the power, as well as heat with particle friction, as well as holding it all together. Please help? Really this is not a troll or anything. I really have been trying to understand this theory since grade school, and is really frustrating.

[pierreretief]

Isn't this more of a description of an coronal mass ejection?

[ramendrabastola]

How concerning is this time? Plz Reply Dr.

[solidus]

Oatmeal analogy is cute but ultimately is doesnt explain what the oatmeal is in the equation

[eibhlin]

You don't have to be a professional to see the sun is MUCH more active.

[mcrazyhorse]

is he adding risotto rice to boiling pasta ?

[BigMisterApple]

Eventually one will hit us.. Or atleast, I hope it does, would be one hell of a story to tell the kids.

[ziq]

Hey saw you from Brooklyn nine-nine was that really you

[conniejeanklein]

You missed the the earth has huge holes in our earth magnetic field rendering humans in trouble.. you have to give all the facts!!

[Bdogbeets]

How do we know that Sun flares have been happening for a long time and not just recently

[giffyguy]

StarTalk Radio Dear Neil: If the sun is "convecting, " why is the sun's inner core only a few thousand degrees in temperature, while the outermost plasma layer (the corona) is millions of degrees in temperature? That's not convection bro. ;-)

[pandzban]

Why he didn't show a boiling ball of gas? Instead he shows a boiling pot of water :D The Sun is not gaseous ball, that's the answer. It is liquid.

[blackknightgaming]

I have visions of the future many times I have the gift and in year 2028 there’s guaranteed a solar flare that may end us all I saw the flare coming from space at night it was growing and it was bigger that you’d expect we do not die from what I saw but when it grew and covered earth I couldn’t see no more I my vision and it’s true not fake if u don’t agree or have question reply to me from here and I’ll let u know know more