Solar eruptive activity might resume following a two-week lull. This was announced by the Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the Space Research Institute (IKI) of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics (ISZF) of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
The bulletin notes that two large active zones are moving into the line of sight from Earth. This is precisely what will lead to the renewal of solar flares before the New Year.
Scientists explain that activity in the form of loops, which appear on the left (eastern) edge of the star, are growing and will become visible within 1-3 days.
“The sunspots, from which the loops “grow,” are not yet visible (hidden by the edge of the Sun), but will appear in view within 1-3 days. According to calculations, both centers of activity will be in the zone of clear visibility on the eve of the New Year holidays, December 30-31,” the statement reads.
A solar flare is defined as an explosion on the Sun that occurs when energy in twisted magnetic fields is released outward. A flare generates a stream of radiation across all ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum, including radio waves and gamma rays. Depending on the intensity of the X-ray emission, solar explosions are assigned one of five classes: A, B, C, M, or X. The most powerful flares are capable of causing radio interference on Earth and provoking prolonged geomagnetic storms.
About the Author
