As we approach 2012 – the peak of solar storm cycle , there is evidence that the sun is already starting to experience major new activity this week:
(Also – is it no co-incidence NASA is to launch the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) tomorrow ? – an urgent attempt to study the sun as we approach 2012? ).
A new group of spots is traversing the face of the sun. Sunspot group 1045 is an active region that has produced moderate (M-class) solar flares.
The spots could unleash a major (X-class) flare, though that probability is low, according to the U.S. Space Weather Prediction Center.Sunspots are areas of intense magnetic activity, cooler than the surrounding solar surface. They act like caps on a soda bottle, and when things are shaken up sufficiently, the caps blow and a flare of radiation is released, often along with a cloud of charged particles called a coronal mass ejection.
Such space weather can pound Earth’s protective magnetic field, with the most severe X-class storms crippling satellites and having the potential to knock out power grids on Earth.
Each of the new spot in the group is about twice the diameter of Earth, according to Spaceweather.com.Experienced backyard astronomers with properly outfitted telescopes can easily see the spots. However, looking at the sun through a telescope without a proper safety lens can permanently damage your eyes. Continue reading – space
Source: Real UFO’s
Tags: Environment, Science, Space, Spirituality, Technology, Video
