Why Study Solar Flares Now?
The occurrence rate of solar flares varies on an 11-year cycle as illustrated below, where the number of flares recorded per month is plotted versus time for the last two cycles. The dotted line shows the predicted rate for the current cycle based on a simple average of the previous two cycles. Most flares, particularly the rare, large bursts with the most dangerous effects, occur within two to three years of the peak in the 11-year cycle. HESSI will take full advantage of the current peak in the solar activity cycle with up to three years of flight operations beginning in the year 2001. HESSI will make observations during the next maximum in solar activity The High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager What Questions will HESSI Address?
