A gigantic 15-dimensional sunspot on Earth explodes with another colossal X-class solar flare (video)

AR3664 is not just any sunspot.

The gigantic dark spot on the surface of the sun has exploded in recent days, becoming one of the largest and most active. Sunspots seen this solar cycle.

AR3664 attracted the attention of scientists earlier this week when the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center issued a warning about an increased risk of solar flares from the solar giant on Tuesday (May 7). .

“Region 3664 has grown considerably and become much more magnetically complex,” NOAA SWPC Reports. “This has led to an increased chance of solar flares in the coming days.”

The gigantic sunspot has lived up to expectations. Triggering countless powerful solar flares in recent days, including a colossal X-class solar flare this morning (May 9), which peaked at 5:13 a.m. EDT (0913 GMT).

Related: The Sun explodes in a flurry of powerful solar flares from hyperactive sunspots (video)

Solar flares They are eruptions from the surface of the sun that emit intense bursts of electromagnetic radiation. They are classified by size into groups of letters, with class X being the most powerful. Then there are class M flares which are 10 times less powerful than class class C and finally, class A flares, which are 10 times weaker than class B and have without notable consequences on earth. Within each class, the numbers 1 through 10 (and beyond for class X flares) describe the relative strength of a flare.

This morning’s X flare recorded an intensity of X 2.25 according to spaceweatherlive.com, measured by NASA’s GOES-16 satellite.

Radio blackouts

radio blackouts on the sunlit part of Earth at the time of the eruption. It shows much of Europe and Africa affected by radio blackouts.

Shortwave radio blackouts were observed over the sunlit part of the Earth at the time of the flare X eruption. (Image credit: NOAA SWPC)

Powerful solar flares like the one observed this morning can cause shortwave radio blackouts on the sunlit side of the planet. Land at the time of the eruption. As such, this morning’s X flare caused shortwave radio blackouts across Europe and Africa, as seen in the image above.

The radio blackouts are due to the strong pulse of X-rays and extreme ultraviolet radiation emitted during the eruption.

The radiation travels towards the Earth in the speed of light and ionizes (gives electric charge to) the top of earth atmosphere. (Note: These ionizing x-rays should not be confused with coronal mass ejections (CME) by which plasma and magnetic fields arise from Suntraveling at slower speeds and often taking several days to reach Earth).

This ionization causes a higher density environment for high-frequency shortwave radio signals to navigate to enable long-distance communication. Radio waves that interact with electrons Ionized layers lose energy due to more frequent collisions, which can cause radio signals to degrade or be completely absorbed depending on NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center.

Sunspot visible from Earth

graphic showing the huge sunspot on the surface of the sun with an inset image to the left showing the solar flare.

The X flare erupted on May 9 from the giant sunspot AR3664. (Image credit: NASA/SDO and the AIA, EVE and HMI science teams/helioviewer.org/Graphic compiled in Canva by Daisy Dobrijevic)

Stretching nearly 124,000 (200,000 kilometers) from end to end, sunspot AR3664 is currently 15 times wider than our planet, according to spaceweather.com.

It is so large that it can be seen from Earth without the need for magnification. If you still have a pair of solar eclipse If you have glasses lying around after the total solar eclipse on April 8, you can use them to safely observe the sun and see the giant sunspot cross the solar disk.

But remember to NEVER look at the sun without proper sun protection. You can find out how to watch the sun safely with our helpful solar observation guide.

Rivaling the Carrington sunspot

The large size of sunspot AR3664 rivals the Carrington sunspot of 1859, as shown in this image from Spaceweather.com. The Carrington sunspot is known for its explosive explosion between August and September 1859, during which it triggered a series of powerful solar flares and CMEs, resulting in large geomagnetic storms that burned down telegraph offices and caused auroras as close to the equator as Cuba and Hawaii.

Read more: The Carrington event: the largest solar storm in history

Although studies suggest Carrington-class solar storms occur roughly every 40 to 60 years (and we’re way behind schedule), there’s no evidence that any CMEs currently on their way from earlier solar flares this week could cause a new Carrington Event, according to Spaceweather.com.

Scientists are closely monitoring this ever-growing sunspot as it continues to face Earth.

St John Shopon

Us News Update

A gigantic 15-dimensional sunspot on Earth explodes with another colossal X-class solar flare (video)