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Jun 22, 2022, 5 tweets

Scientists at NASA are closely monitoring a gigantic sunspot called AR3038, which has doubled in size in the past 24 hours. The sunspot's hazardous area faces Earth directly & might send solar flares our way if it bursts. Here's more. #Sunspot
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Sunspots are a common event on the Sun. However, the rate at which AR3038 has expanded has alarmed the scientists. If it emits flares that would reach Earth, there is a chance that radio communication networks might get disrupted for tens of minutes—a cause of worry worldwide.

Sunspots are black-colored regions on the surface of the Sun, which are colder than the other areas. They emit powerful bursts of radiation. Sunspots are very cold because they develop over locations with extremely powerful magnetic fields.

According to scientists, the Earth-facing AR3038 has a beta-gamma magnetic field that is unstable and stores energy for M-class (medium intensity) solar flares. The strongest flare (M9) may result in satellite communication disruptions.

While solar flares from the AR3038 will not reach the Earth, their radiation might do so. However, people need not worry. They do not pose as big a risk as coronal mass ejections (CME), which can disrupt geomagnetism.

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