One of the biggest sunspots of the current solar cycle is now turning toward Earth. Named AR1654, the active region is crackling with medium-sized (M-class) flares and could be poised to break the recent spell of calm space weather around our planet. It poses a threat for even stronger eruptions. NOAA forecasters estimate a 5% chance of X-flares today.
Active Region 1654 on the Sun’s western limb, seen by SDO on Jan. 11 (NASA/SDO/HMI team. Diagram by J. Major.)
Since it first appeared four days ago, sunspot AR1654 has been facing away from Earth. But now it is turning toward us, increasing the “geo-effectiveness” of its explosions.
The image above, captured by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory on Jan. 11th, shows the structure of AR1654 in the Sun’s photosphere — its light-emitting “surface” layer. Stretching many tens of thousands of miles, this magnetic solar blemish easily dwarfs our entire planet. And it’s not just a prediction that this sunspot will unleash a flare — it already has:
Spaceweather.com has the latest info on what’s happening with this sunspot.
Filed under: The Sun
