Sunspots and solar activity captured by astronomer
When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters.Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer.Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights.You can unsubscribe at any time.
A sunspot has been opening on the surface of our Sun and experts believe it could continue to widen, NASA images show. Sunspots are patches of darkness on the Sun which are caused by underlying magnetism beneath the surface. However, sometimes that magnetism bubbles up and is released in the form of solar flares, which spew cosmic particles into space.
These solar particles are then blasted into space, which can sometimes hit Earth.
Astronomers revealed the spot is growing on the southern hemisphere of the Sun and could grow to a point where it releases a solar flare.
Astronomy site Space Weather said: “A new sunspot is emerging in the sun’s southern hemisphere, right here.
“So far it is small and quiet, posing no threat for strong flares.
“If the region continues to grow, it will likely be assigned an official number (AR2802) later today.
“The sunspot is breaking through the sun’s surface right next to a dark magnetic filament.
“Rapid evolution of the sunspot could de-stabilise the region, causing the filament to erupt.”
A solar flare resulting from a sunspot actually hit Earth yesterday, sparking a G1 class solar storm.
A G1 class solar storm can lead to “weak power grid fluctuations” and can have a “minor impact on satellite operations”.
This is because as particles hit Earth’s magnetosphere – the outer layer of the atmosphere – it causes it to expand.
Ultimately, this makes it more difficult for satellite signals to penetrate and can cause problems for technologies reliant on satellites such as mobile phones and Sky TV.
On this occasion, however, it sparked an aurora in the northern hemisphere of Earth which has been described as one of the most powerful they had ever seen.
DON’T MISS
Sunspot opens on Sun which has the power of 100 MILLION atomic bombs
Sunspot Solar Observatory closure EXPLAINED after FBI mystery
Sunspot Solar Observatory’s mystery closure triggers ALIEN rumours
Photographer Markus Varik, from Norway, snapped an image of the aurora which looked like rolling green waves in the sky.
Mr Varik said: “I have never seen auroras with such incredible shapes before, even after more than 1000 nights of observing. It rocked our socks off.”
Auroras, which include northern lights – aurora borealis – and southern lights – aurora australis – are caused when solar particles hit the atmosphere.
As the planet’s magnetosphere gets bombarded by solar winds, stunning lights of various hues can appear in the northern and southernmost regions.
Source: Read Full Article
