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Red Alert: Massive Sunspot Grows Larger In Size, Facing Earth! Serious Consequences?

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By Devika Tarasinghani
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Sunspot

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NASA Scientists are closely monitoring a gigantic sunspot called AR3038, which has doubled in size in the past 24 hours. The fast-growing sunspot's hazardous area faces Earth directly and might send solar flares our way if it bursts. These flares might damage navigation systems and radio communication networks. Notably, no solar flare warnings have been issued as of now.

Sunspots are a common phenomenon on the Sun. However, the rate at which the AR3038 has expanded has alarmed the scientists.

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Red Alert: Massive Sunspot Grows Larger In Size, Facing Earth! Serious Consequences?

Sunspot

If it indeed emits flares that would reach Earth, there is a chance that radio communication networks might get disrupted for tens of minutes—a cause of worry worldwide.

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However, such events are natural and out of man's control.

Sunspot

According to scientists, the Earth-facing AR3038 has a beta-gamma magnetic field that is unstable and stores energy for M-class (medium intensity) solar flares.The strongest flare (M9) may result in satellite communication disruptions and temporary radio blackouts around the Earth's two poles.If the flares are intense enough, infrastructure may get damaged and it would take a long time to repair, even months.

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While solar flares from the AR3038 will not reach the Earth, their radiation might do so. However, people need not worry. They do not pose as big a risk as coronal mass ejections (CME), which can disrupt geomagnetism.

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