NASA has reported a significant finding of a large cluster of sunspots, known as AR3576, which has grown in size over the past month. Located on the surface of the sun, these dark patches have the potential to generate strong solar flares. According to NASA, solar flares can pose risks to spacecraft, astronauts, radio communications, electric power grids, and navigation signals.
In fact, NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured a massive solar flare on Friday. Solar flares are defined as large bursts of energy on the sun’s surface and can have widespread effects on various systems and technologies on Earth and in space.
In December, the largest solar flare in six years caused issues with airplane radio communications and sent a burst of radiation hurtling toward Earth. These events highlight the potential impact of solar flares on our planet and technological infrastructure.
The magnetic fields associated with sunspots are significantly more powerful than Earth’s magnetic field, making them a force to be reckoned with. NASA first observed the cluster of sunspots at the end of last month, and now, the grouping is facing Earth from its position in space.
Sunspots, which are cooler than the rest of the sun and appear darker, can cause solar flares when magnetic field lines are breached. Some of the sunspots in AR3576 are even larger than Earth, highlighting the immense scale and power of these phenomena.
The space agency has emphasized the importance of proper eye protection when observing these solar phenomena, as they can be observed in real-time using the Solar Dynamics Observatory. This latest discovery and ongoing observation of the sunspots provide valuable insights into the behavior of the sun and its potential impacts on Earth.
With a length of approximately 93,200 miles, AR3576 is almost four times the circumference of Earth, demonstrating the sheer size and scale of these sunspots. These findings contribute to our understanding of the sun’s activity and its potential effects on our planet and technological systems.