GIANT sunspot that recently exploded is now facing Earth; Solar storm trouble coming?

A massive sunspot on the Sun that last week caused a huge farside explosion, is now facing the Earth. Astronomers fear that if another explosion took place, the Earth could suffer a dangerous solar storm.

By: HT TECH
| Updated on: Feb 07 2023, 12:24 IST
NASA: From Solar Winds, Solar Flares to CME, check how solar phenomena impact Earth
Solar Storm
1/5 The harrowing thing is that it will not just be China that would be affected by such a devastating solar storm. (NASA)
Solar Storm
2/5 Solar Flares: Solar flares are photon flares emitted from the Sun which travel from the flare site. They are rated on the basis of their intensity with the highest being an X-rated solar flare. It can cause power and radio blackouts and are responsible for the stunning phenomenon known to us as the Northern Lights or Auroras. (NASA/SDO)
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3/5 Coronal Mass Ejections (CME): CMEs are massive plasma clouds carrying photons that are ejected from the Sun. CME occurs during the solar cycle and is at peak in the middle of the cycle. (NASA)
Solar Storm
4/5 Solar Winds: Solar winds are high speed winds coming from holes in the Sun called Coronal holes. These holes can form anywhere on the surface of the Sun. If these solar winds prevail near the solar equator, they can cause impact on Earth, according to NASA. (Pixabay)
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5/5 Solar Energetic Particles: Solar energetic particles are emitted from the Sun during Coronal Mass Ejections. These are charged particles; hence they follow the magnetic field lines between the Sun and the Earth and if they pass the magnetic fields near Earth, they have an impact. (NASA)
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Gigantic sunspot is facing the Earth. Will we suffer an unprecedented solar storm attack? Find out. (Pixabay)

In the early hours of February 4, the NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) detected a massive explosion on the far side of the Sun. It was reported that the explosion was in fact a solar flare eruption that took place inside of a huge sunspot. Back then, it was considered a lucky escape because if that explosion was directed towards the Earth, it could have resulted in a powerful solar storm event. However, now the same sunspot is facing the Earth and some astronomers fear that another explosion on the sunspot is possible, which can directly hit our planet.

The development was reported by SpaceWeather.com which mentioned on its website, “A new and potentially large sunspot is emerging over the sun's northeastern limb, right here. This is probably the same sunspot that hurled a giant plume of hot plasma into space from the farside of the Sun on Saturday”. The report also mentioned that the chances of a geoeffective flare eruption in the coming days has also boosted with the presence of this sunspot.

Giant sunspot creates solar storm fears

It is not that all sunspot explosions are dangerous. Usually, it depends on the size of the sunspot and the amount of magnetic charge contained within itself. In this case, however, this particular eruption released a lot of coronal mass ejection particles. It is a sign that the eruption was so large, the mass on the surface of the Sun was sprayed in space. If this explosion took place when the sunspot faced the Earth, there was a possibility that it could have led to a G5-class solar storm.

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A solar storm that strong can damage satellites, impact mobile networks and internet connectivity as well as cause power grid failure. Although, healthwise, humans will not be directly impacted by the radiation, the disruptions to emergency services and power outages at places of high importance like hospitals, can still cause a high number of deaths. The last time we suffered such a solar storm was in 1859 in an event which is now known as the Carrington event.

NASA Solar Dynamic Observatory's role in predicting solar storms

The NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) uses a range of instruments to observe solar storms and other activity on the sun. These instruments include the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA), which captures images of the sun in different wavelengths of light to study its atmosphere; the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI), which measures the sun's magnetic field and oscillations to study its interior; and the Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE), which measures the sun's ultraviolet radiation output. Together, these instruments provide a comprehensive view of solar activity and allow scientists to better understand and predict solar storms.

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First Published Date: 07 Feb, 12:20 IST
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