New research reveals solar flares are significantly hotter than previously thought, reaching temperatures as high as 180 million degrees Fahrenheit. This discovery, published in Astrophysical Journal Letters, challenges previous assumptions about ion and electron temperatures within solar flares. Researchers used computer simulations and near-Earth space measurements to determine that ions heat up far more than electrons. This finding is crucial for understanding solar flare mechanisms and improving protection for satellites and astronauts from these powerful events.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.