M-class solar flare threat! NASA observatory keeping a watch on dangerous sunspot | Tech News

M-class solar flare threat! NASA observatory keeping a watch on dangerous sunspot

NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory has revealed that a current sunspot has the potential to hurl out a solar flare! Know all about this M-class solar flare threat.

By: HT TECH
| Updated on: Dec 07 2023, 17:05 IST
2200-foot asteroid, 4 other space rocks to pass Earth; NASA shows how close they will get
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1/6 Asteroid 2023 WW - The first asteroid to pass Earth today, December 5, is designated Asteroid 2023 WW. During its approach, it will come as close as 2.9 million kilometers to the planet. According to NASA, the space rock is 130 feet wide and is travelling at a speed of almost 30672 kilometers per hour. (Pixabay)
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2/6 Asteroid 2023 WW - The first asteroid to pass Earth today, December 5, is designated Asteroid 2023 WW. During its approach, it will come as close as 2.9 million kilometers to the planet. According to NASA, the space rock is 130 feet wide and is travelling at a speed of almost 30672 kilometers per hour. (Pixabay)
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3/6 Asteroid 2001 QQ142 – The second asteroid on its way is designated Asteroid 2001 QQ142, and it will pass by Earth tomorrow, December 6. According to NASA, this space rock has a staggering width of 2200 feet. Its orbit will take it almost as close as 5.5 million kilometers to the planet’s surface while moving at a speed of 23975 kilometers per hour. (Pixabay)
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4/6 Asteroid 2023 XL – Yet another space rock named Asteroid 2023 XL will pass Earth tomorrow, December 6. In terms of size, the asteroid is almost 80 feet wide. As per NASA, it will come as close as 6.1 million kilometers and is already moving at a speed of 28845 kilometers per hour. (Pixabay)
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5/6 Asteroid 2023 XK – Asteroid 2023 XK will also pass by Earth tomorrow, December 6. During its close approach, it will come as close as 6.4 million kilometers to the planet’s surface. With a width of nearly 100 feet, the space rock is speeding towards Earth at 32074 kilometers per hour. (Pixabay)
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6/6 Asteroid 2023 TB27 – Asteroid 2023 TB27, with a width of nearly 140 feet, will pass Earth tomorrow, December 6. According to NASA, this asteroid is travelling at almost 15304 kilometers per hour and will pass the planet at a distance of 6.5 million kilometers. (Pixabay )
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Sunspot AR3513 could hurl out a dangerous solar flare. Check details as per NASA. (Pixabay)

Just recently, it was revealed that Earth could be in the firing line of a solar storm as sigmoid eruption was observed on the surface of the Sun. This eruption hurled out a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) towards Earth, which has the potential to deliver a weak blow to the Earth's magnetic field. However, this isn't the only threat. In a new development, the NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) has tracked a dangerous sunspot and it could hurl an M-class solar flare towards Earth. This is the latest solar phenomenon to occur as we move towards the peak of the solar cycle 25. Know all about the M-class solar flare threat.

M-class solar flare threat

According to a report by spaceweather.com, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), forecasts that a region on the Sun's surface, termed Sunspot AR3513, has the potential to emit solar flares. There is a chance for M-class solar flares to be hurled out that may hit Earth soon.

It states, “Sunspot AR3513 is crackling with M-class solar flares.” As solar flares travel out directly from the flare site, it is surmised that if we can see the flare, Earth can actually be impacted by it.

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For the unaware, solar flares are classified according to their strength on the logarithmic scale, similar to how earthquakes are measured. The smallest ones are A-class which occur at near background levels, followed by B, C, and M, while X-rated flares are the strongest. Similar to the Richter scale for earthquakes, each letter represents a 10-fold increase in energy output. Within each letter class, there is a finer scale from 1 to 9.

According to NASA, M-class solar flares are moderate in intensity and have the potential to cause brief radio blackouts. This is because when solar particles hit Earth, the radio communications and the power grid are affected when they hit the planet's magnetic field. It can cause power and radio blackouts for several hours or even days. M-class solar flares can also be followed by minor radiation storms.

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First Published Date: 07 Dec, 17:05 IST
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