The Sun has more than 200 scary sunspots

(NLDO) - The number of black "scars" visible on the Sun in August is double that previously predicted and is also the highest number in the past 23 years.

According to data just released by the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), an average of 215.5 sunspots appeared at the same time last August.

This is the highest number since September 2001 with 238.2 sunspots.

A "map" of sunspots appearing in August in a composite image of images taken of the Sun throughout the month - Photo: SDO/NASA

Sunspots are dark regions that appear on the surface of our parent star, which have a lower temperature than the surrounding areas.

They are like "scars" on the Sun, where the magnetic field is chaotic and convection is inhibited.

This makes them a kind of "cosmic gun barrel," occasionally firing energetic flares, even a large ball of plasma called a "coronal mass ejection" (CME).

Although they appear very small from Earth's perspective, these sunspots are actually enormous, some many times the diameter of our planet.

When these "guns" are accidentally fired at the right time towards Earth, our world will experience a geomagnetic storm.

Besides the beautiful aurora phenomenon in areas near the poles, geomagnetic storms cause many problems such as disrupting radio waves, interfering with navigation systems, causing satellites to fall back to Earth...

Historically, geomagnetic storms have been so powerful that they have caused partial power outages. However, humans have developed methods to predict and deal with them, so much damage can be avoided.

And the fact that more than 200 sunspots appear at the same time each August is a sign that humanity must prepare for the upcoming continuous geomagnetic storms.

According to Live Science, scientists believe that the peak of the 11-year solar cycle is approaching.

Previously, scientists believed that the time when the solar cycle reached its peak would fall in 2025, not too explosive.

But in recent times, a number of very strong geomagnetic storms have hit Earth, causing them to recalculate. According to SWPC's prediction earlier this year, the peak of the solar cycle will fall this year, 2024.

Scientists now believe we have entered that peak, with a record breaking August. However, the exact “peak” is unclear.

Solar maximum can last for 1-2 years or a little longer, meaning one to two years or longer, meaning there is still a chance that activity will continue to increase over the next 12 months or so.

During the peak of Solar Cycle 23, which occurred more than two decades ago, the average monthly sunspot count reached 244.3 in July 2000.

During Solar Cycle 22, the record was 284.5 sunspots in June 1989.

We are currently living in Solar Cycle 25.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/mat-troi-xuat-hien-hon-200-vet-den-dang-so-196240905095622924.htm