NASA Observes Giant Sunspot, Anticipates More Solar Activity

Susanne Posel
Occupy Corporatism
May 13, 2012

 

 

 

There is a massive sun spot that has scientists concerned about powerful coronal mass ejections (CMEs) heading toward earth.

The sun spot, named AR 1476, measures more than 60,000 miles across, according to researchers.

The space-based telescope, NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory mission, specifically observes the sun.

The gigantic structure was named the “monster sunspot” on their Twitter account.

AR 1476 is big enough to be viewed by amateur telescopes.

The sunspot has four dark cores that are larger than the Earth.

Sunspots cause massive amounts of magnetic energy. When they erupt, they send “solar flares” or CMEs which are streams of high radioactive energy into space.

CMEs are classified by solar physicist into three categories of intensification:

C – the weakest
M – the middle ground
X – the most intense

X-class CMEs are responsible for long-lasting effects on earth. They effect the upper atmosphere directly and account for radio blackouts.

M-class can only cause minimal damage that is focused on the poles where the magnetosphere is weakest.

AR 1476 has been quite active. The most powerful ejections thus far are M-class.

CMEs are clouds of solar plasma that race toward earth at 3 million miles per hour. They create geo-magnetic storms that disrupt GPS signals, radio communications and compromise power grids.

These CMEs also charge the Northern and Southern Lights.

The activity displayed by AR 1476 shows that our sun is quite alive.

Scientists believe that the peak of the solar cycle we are currently in will see its apex in 2013.

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NASA Observes Giant Sunspot, Anticipates More Solar Activity

Susanne Posel
Occupy Corporatism
May 13, 2012

 

 

 

There is a massive sun spot that has scientists concerned about powerful coronal mass ejections (CMEs) heading toward earth.

The sun spot, named AR 1476, measures more than 60,000 miles across, according to researchers.

The space-based telescope, NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory mission, specifically observes the sun.

The gigantic structure was named the “monster sunspot” on their Twitter account.

AR 1476 is big enough to be viewed by amateur telescopes.

The sunspot has four dark cores that are larger than the Earth.

Sunspots cause massive amounts of magnetic energy. When they erupt, they send “solar flares” or CMEs which are streams of high radioactive energy into space.

CMEs are classified by solar physicist into three categories of intensification:

C – the weakest
M – the middle ground
X – the most intense

X-class CMEs are responsible for long-lasting effects on earth. They effect the upper atmosphere directly and account for radio blackouts.

M-class can only cause minimal damage that is focused on the poles where the magnetosphere is weakest.

AR 1476 has been quite active. The most powerful ejections thus far are M-class.

CMEs are clouds of solar plasma that race toward earth at 3 million miles per hour. They create geo-magnetic storms that disrupt GPS signals, radio communications and compromise power grids.

These CMEs also charge the Northern and Southern Lights.

The activity displayed by AR 1476 shows that our sun is quite alive.

Scientists believe that the peak of the solar cycle we are currently in will see its apex in 2013.

You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

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