Science

Space weather warning: Alert as HUGE sunspot could cause TECH BLACKOUT


Cosmic forecasters have noticed a massive sunspot appear on the Sun and Earth could fall into its stream of cosmic particles. As it stands, the sunspot is not pointing our way, but it could in the coming days, which could cause major problems. Sunspots are patches of darkness on the Sun which are caused by underlying magnetism beneath the surface.

However, sometimes that magnetism bubbles up and is released in the form of solar flares, which spew cosmic particles into space.

While holes like this are common, researchers have described the impending one as a “big one”.

Website Space Weather said: “A new sunspot is rotating over the sun’s eastern limb, and it’s a big one. Numbered AR2738, the sunspot’s primary dark core is big enough to swallow Earth.

“The magnetic polarity of AR2738 identifies it as a member of old Solar Cycle 24. Apparently, the decaying solar cycle still has some potency.

“Can this sunspot produce strong flares? We won’t know until it turns more directly toward Earth in the days ahead.

“Then we can see more clearly the structure of its magnetic field and evaluate the potential for explosiveness.”

For the most part, the Earth’s magnetic field protects humans from the barrage of radiation which comes from sunspots, but solar storms can affect satellite-based technology.

Solar winds can heat the Earth’s outer atmosphere, causing it to expand.

This can affect satellites in orbit, potentially leading to a lack of GPS navigation, mobile phone signal and satellite TV such as Sky.

Additionally, a surge of particles can lead to high currents in the magnetosphere, which can lead to higher than normal electricity in power lines, resulting in electrical transformers and power stations blow outs and a loss of power.

The higher amounts of radiation also leave people vulnerable to cancer.





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