As we know that geomagnetic storms occurred on earth's atmosphere. But how we know that storms occurred by solar flare or coronal mass ejections?
Wikipedia says "A solar flare is a sudden flash of increased brightness on the Sun, usually observed near its surface and in close proximity to a sunspot group. Powerful flares are often, but not always, accompanied by a coronal mass ejection."
Both solar flares and CMEs are energetic events which occur on the Sun. These events are both associated with high energy particles. In the case of a CME, coronal material is ejected into space at high speeds, sometimes in the direction of Earth. Both flares and CMEs depend on magnetic fields on the Sun
Solar Flare- A sudden increase in brightness activity that emits relativistic electrons, soft and hard X-rays, IR, UV and Visible rays. It can emit even gamma rays and Energetic protons. Complex sunspot group causes these flares. The activity is much intense during sunspot cycle maximum period. Type III radio burst are primarily due to flares. The solar flare activity is associated with the CME activity. The solar flare activity can reach the Earth within 10 min.
Coronal Mass Ejection- It is a huge magnetized plasma movement started in the Solar corona. It can travel beyond Jupiter. The speed of the CME is in the range 10 km/s - 4000 km/s. The activity is first found during 1971 using OSO spacecraft observation. Type II radio burst below 16 MHz are due to CME. It is an indicator of a CME movement. CMEs can cause severe spaceweather effects. The CME can reach Earth within 20 hours - 120 hours. It can be studied using coronagraphs.
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