Danger looms on Earth! Sun’s giant sunspot turns towards Earth, know what its effect will be on the planet

Science News Desk – SuRya has once again become very active. There is a huge sunspot that is now facing Earth. This sunspot, called AR3901, has already thrown several solar flares into the solar system. In the coming days, the solar flames emanating from it will come directly towards the Earth. This will not only cause colorful lights (auroras) in the sky, but can also cause radio blackouts. Since the energy released from solar flares is equivalent to millions of hydrogen bombs, they can cause technological destruction on Earth. According to NASA, nine M-class solar flares erupted from the Sun on Monday. Most of these originated from this AR3901 sunspot. However, Prithvi was not in their firing line then. But now the situation may get worse due to this sunspot facing the Earth.

What are sunspots and solar flares?
According to the European Space Agency (ESA), sunspots or ‘sun spots’ are cool regions of the Sun, where magnetic energy often builds up before an eruption. They look like dark spots on the Sun. When the energy stored in these suddenly comes out with a tremendous explosion, it is called solar flare.

Solar flares heat matter to millions of degrees in a matter of minutes and release electromagnetic radiation all around, including radio waves, X-rays and gamma rays. Scientists divide solar flares into five categories according to their brightness. Category A solar flares are the smallest and weakest. M and X category solar flares are the most dangerous, whose effects are clearly visible on Earth.

How much danger is there?
According to ESA, M category flares are of medium size. They usually cause short-term radio blackouts that affect Earth’s polar regions. M category flares are sometimes followed by smaller radiation storms. Category X flames are the largest. When they explode, they can trigger worldwide radio blackouts and long-lasting radiation storms in the upper atmosphere.