Giant sunspot on the sun could be a sign of an impending solar storm

 

The sunspot may herald an impending solar storm that could reach Earth in one to three days, according to researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). If so, it could disrupt GPS signals, radio transmissions, and power grids.

 

What is a sunspot?

Sunspots are actually storms that appear on our star. They are larger and darker than normal areas and appear as dark spots that can span up to 100,000 miles. Most of these blemishes fade in 11 days, but some have lasted for weeks. And unlike solar flares—flashes that shoot out from intense magnetic activity—sunspots typically don’t have much effect on humans here on Earth.

 

What could happen if there is an explosion

An explosion in our atmosphere would release massive amounts of charged particles into space. This solar weather can interfere with GPS, satellite communications, and power grids. A severe geomagnetic storm can cause widespread power outages—and even blackouts lasting for days. If that wasn’t enough, it could trigger failure in transformers that maintain electric transmission systems, including grids supplying homes and businesses with electricity.

 

How often do they occur?

Sunspots are transient phenomena that appear and disappear for hours to days. They tend to follow cycles averaging 11 years in length. The number of sunspots visible at any time is not directly related to their intensity. Some large spots can develop and decay within days, while smaller spots can persist for weeks or months. The number of sunspots visible on the surface at any one time is not directly related to their intensity—many small spots can be more intense than larger ones.

 

Do we have to worry about it right now?

Thankfully, no. There’s not going to be a big solar flare for at least three days, if then. However, we should keep our eyes out because it could start to grow rapidly and catch us by surprise. For now, we can all rest easy—even though there’s still plenty of fun in space.

 

Is this bad for us here on Earth?

Suppose a giant solar flare erupts, sending our way charged particles at 1-2 million miles per hour (the speed at which those particles travel depends on what kind of storm it is). In that case, these can cause problems for satellites, radio and television signals, and even electrical grids. But more often than not, storms are non-events. Likely, you won’t even know about them unless you study space weather closely.

 

How can you watch the effects of the spot with your own eyes?

You don’t need fancy equipment to see what’s happening in our solar system. According to scientists, you can use two different approaches to watch our stars: either at night or during the day. During the nighttime, when you look at the sky, spot Orion and other constellations with your naked eye.