Four day animation of rapidly growing sunspot. It is now the size of the planet Jupiter. There is a possibility of an X-class solar flare from such a sunspot. An X-class flare directed at the earth. would be a major event that could trigger planet-wide radio blackouts and long-lasting radiation storms. Such flares are thought to have triggered power blackouts in the past as well. Latest sunspot image from SOHO - More info from SIDC. |
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