Jakarta –
At least 17 eruptions from one sunspots has exploded and gushed into space in recent days. These bursts include several charged particles that have the potential to cause solar storms to hit Earth.
The solar eruption came from an overactive sunspot, called AR2975. This spot has been emitting flares since Monday (28/3). In some areas on Earth, get ready for the arrival of the aurora phenomenon.
Sunspots are eruptions on the Sun that occur when magnetic lines rotate and suddenly re-align near the visible surface. Sometimes, these explosions are associated with coronal mass ejections (CMEs) or streams of charged particles shooting into space.
NASA’s powerful Solar Dynamics Observatory captures stunning views of solar eruption, such as the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory.
“The eruption has thrown at least two, possibly three, CMEs to Earth,” SpaceWeather reports Space.com, Thursday (31/3/2022).
NASA predicts the first CME will arrive on Thursday (31/3) and the others on Friday (1/4). Modeling shows that particles can produce effects on Earth in the form of geomagnetic storms G2 or G3 (moderate), although auroras (northern lights and southern lights) are very difficult to predict.
The year 2022 is estimated to be relatively quiet for solar activity as a whole, as we are still towards the beginning of the 11-year cycle of solar activity starting in December 2019.
The start of the cycle usually has fewer sunspots and fewer eruptions. Activity will increase as we approach its peak, expected in mid-2025.
Scientists debate how strong the Sun’s current cycle is, though estimates so far suggest that the average number of sunspots maybe lower than usual.
While the odds of this storm are only moderate, NASA and other space agencies are monitoring solar activity to improve solar weather predictions. Powerful flares aimed at Earth, along with large CMEs, can cause problems such as damaging power lines or disabling satellites.
Watch Videos “SpaceX Satellite Drops Out of Orbit After Hit by a Solar Storm“
[Gambas:Video 20detik]
(rns/fay)
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