Here's a breakdown of why:
* Solar Flares: These are sudden, intense bursts of energy from the Sun's surface. They are caused by the release of magnetic energy stored in the Sun's atmosphere.
* X-rays: Solar flares emit a wide range of electromagnetic radiation, including X-rays. These X-rays can reach Earth and disrupt radio communications and satellite operations.
* Charged Particles: Solar flares also accelerate charged particles, primarily protons and electrons, to very high speeds. These particles can travel at nearly the speed of light.
* Space Weather: These energetic particles form a stream called a coronal mass ejection (CME) and can impact Earth's magnetosphere, leading to auroras, power outages, and other "space weather" effects.
So, while the term "eruption" is a good general descriptor, the specific phenomenon responsible for these effects is a solar flare.