Astronomers have warned of the possibility of a strong solar storm after a pair of massive sunspots were observed, some large enough to engulf the entire Earth. Sunspots are dark areas on the Sun that are cooler than other parts of its surface, and solar flares occur near these dark regions.
In recent days, astronomers have detected two active regions known as AR2993 and AR2994, which contain several sunspots. Solar flares and coronal mass ejections come from these areas, and when they explode toward Earth, they can lead to geomagnetic storms, posing risks to power grids and satellites. Sunspots form due to magnetic disturbances in the Sun's photosphere, which expose the cooler layers below, appearing as dark spots under pressure.
Solar flares can erupt from these regions, sending plasma and charged particles into space, some of which head toward Earth. When these charged particles reach Earth, they flow through the magnetic field, causing auroras; however, this can also lead to power outages and internet issues. According to scientists, the recent increase in solar activity is due to the Sun approaching its most active phase in its 11-year solar cycle, with its peak expected in 2024, according to the British newspaper "Daily Mail," citing the scientific website "Live Science."
Astrophysicist Dean Pesnell stated that "multiple solar flares and coronal mass ejections are typical at this stage of the solar cycle." He added, "Studies have shown that the level of solar activity occurring now is nearly the same as it was 11 years ago, during the same point in the last cycle." Meanwhile, the Space Weather Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration explained that the formed plasma will not strike Earth, noting that flares and coronal mass ejections will become more frequent in the coming years, raising the risk level of solar activity.
