Study finds solar flares may trigger short-term weather shifts on planets

Solar flares, intense bursts of radiation from stars, can cause rapid weather changes on planets, even on Earth, according to scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Their new findings, published in The Astronomical Journal, offer strong proof that flares from a star can lead to noticeable climate shifts within just a few days.

The research could help pinpoint which planets outside the solar system, known as exoplanets, might be able to support life. It also sheds new light on the short-term weather patterns we experience on Earth.

The researchers pointed out that solar activity might also contribute to brief weather changes on Earth, which are different from the long-term climate shifts caused by human actions, but could still have significant impacts in areas prone to unpredictable weather.

"Stars don't just warm their planets; they can also actively shape their weather systems," the study concluded.