An enormous sunspot seven times wider than Earth is currently visible to the naked eye. But skywatchers should remember to guard their eyes when the sun in the event that they intend to glimpse the feature before it vanishes.
The tremendous dark spot on the sun, designated AR3354, will disappear on Sunday (July 2), rotating out of Earth’s view. In response to SpaceWeather.com, the sunspot just appeared on Monday (July 26), and it has grown quite a bit since.
On Twitter, solar physicist Keith Strong shared a surprising timelapse video of the sunspot because it crossed the face of the sun. Strong wrote: “The newly numbered sunspot region, AR3354, has been growing rapidly within the last 24 hours. Two days ago, it wasn’t even there, now it has spots larger than the Earth. If this rate of growth continues, we should always begin to see some big flares from it.”
RAPIDLY GROWING SUNSPOT GROUP: The newly numbered sunspot region, AR3354, has been growing rapidly within the last 24 hours. Two days ago, it wasn’t even there, now it has spots larger than the Earth. If this rate of growth continues, we should always begin to see some big flares from it. pic.twitter.com/fNTupeozftJune 27, 2023
As Strong implied, in addition to growing in size, the sunspot has also grown in intensity. SpaceWeather.com added that AR3354 had developed a gamma magnetic field that would end in strong solar flares. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted a 40% probability of medium-sized, or M-class, solar flares in consequence of AR3354 on Wednesday (July 28).
Following the solar flare forecast, Strong caught such an M-class flare in stunning detail because it erupted outward from AR3354, also sharing the footage on his Twitter account.
M FLARE! An M2 flare was just produced by sunspot region AR3340 near the NW limb. It looks very just like the last 2 but now we’re seeing it mostly from the side somewhat than from above. Still scant evidence of a coronal mass ejection being launched by it, no strong ejecta seen. pic.twitter.com/noS90WWzRJJune 28, 2023
NOAA forecasters added there may be also a ten% probability of the biggest class of solar flare, an X-flare, on Wednesday.
The eruptions could affect Earth, because the sunspot is currently turning toward the planet. In response to the European Space Agency (ESA), M-class flares may end up in temporary radio blackouts that affect Earth’s polar regions and may trigger minor radiation storms. X-class flares, alternatively, are major events that may result in radio blackouts across the globe and long-lasting radiation storms within the upper atmosphere.
Sunspots are the results of strong magnetic field activity on the sun’s surface, referred to as the photosphere. This will lead not only to flares but additionally to coronal mass ejections (CMEs), massive outflows of stellar material. On the time of writing, nonetheless, AR3354 hadn’t yet blasted out a CME.
Though it’s incredible in size, this latest sunspot is unlikely to guide to activity as violent as probably the most intense solar storm on record, called the Carrington Event.
On Sept. 1, 1859, several sunspots, which were estimated to be collectively across the width of Jupiter, blasted out a CME that caused a vibrant white flash that lasted around five minutes and briefly blinded amateur astronomer Richard Carrington, who the event would later be named after.
Don’t follow within the footsteps of Carrington and have your eyes damaged. For those who intend to view the massive sunspot, it’s best to employ a pair of solar glasses, eclipse glasses or other sort of certified eye protection. And before using such gear, it’s best to check them for scratches. Put the glasses on before the sun and look away before you remove them, as even temporary exposure to the sun can damage your eyes permanently.
Moreover, dedicated solar binoculars can be found with in-built solar filters that could be used to view the sun and get a magnified view of the solar disk. Our guide to secure solar observations also needs to be useful, and when you intend to photograph AR3354 or another sunspot, we even have a guide to soundly imaging the sun.