See a giant sunspot four times the size of the Earth that appeared on the sun
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A giant black dot four times the size of Earth has appeared on the sun – and you can see the phenomenon with the naked eye NOW
A glorious sunspot four times the size of Earth is visible on the surface of the sun that can be seen with the naked eye – but the strip show could be disastrous.
The black spot faces our planet, and scientists said there’s a 20 percent chance it will release a powerful X-class solar flare that could cause global blackouts.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is now monitoring the sunspot and will share updates as needed.
Until then, astronomers encourage the public to look at the discernible spot, but only with sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Those in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Nebraska have been safe to see without protection because of Canadian wildfires “creating a sort of natural sunscreen for observers in parts of North America.”
The black spot is facing our planet and scientists said there’s a 20 percent chance it will release a powerful X-class solar flare that could cause global blackouts
Sunspots are dark areas of the sun where it is cooler than other parts of the surface. This is what a sunspot looks like up close, but it’s not the spot that’s currently visible
Sunspots are dark areas of the sun where it is cooler than other parts of the surface.
The sunspot, labeled AR3310, is aimed directly at our planet and recently released an M-1 solar flare, a massive explosion made of photons — particles of electromagnetic radiation.
M-1 is classified as the second highest type of solar flare, but it could soon release a much more powerful one.
Solar flares are large explosions in the sun’s atmosphere, consisting of photons coming directly from the flare site.
X-1 class flares can be up to 10 times the size of Earth, making them the largest kind of flares.
“The largest X-class flares are by far the largest explosions in the solar system and are amazing to watch,” said NASA.
Loops tens of times the size of Earth jump up from the sun’s surface when the sun’s magnetic fields cross and reconnect.
“In the largest events, this reconnection process can produce as much energy as a billion hydrogen bombs.”
But they can only hit Earth if they occur on the side of the Sun facing Earth.
Several images have surfaced of a photographer capturing the blazing sun with its dark sunspot over Fire Island, New York.
The sunspot, labeled AR3310, is aimed directly at our planet and recently released an M-1 solar flare, a massive explosion made of photons – particles of electromagnetic radiation
Astronomers are encouraging the public to look at the distinguishable spot, but only with sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays
Several images have surfaced of a photographer capturing the blazing sun with its dark sunspot over Fire Island, New York
The stunning red color in the photos was due to 84 wildfires burning through parts of Canada, particularly Alberta, and will continue for at least a few more days.
The color occurs when smoke filters out shorter wavelengths of light, allowing only red and orange wavelengths to shine through.
And the sun is also weaker due to the thick smoke that is blowing in from Canada.
The wildfires have burned nearly a million acres in Western Canada, primarily in the province of Northwest Alberta. And more than 30,000 people have already evacuated the area to avoid the fires.