Say hello to AR1476
A big sunspot is coming our way -- from
Space Weather:
BIG SUNSPOT:
One of the largest sunspot groups in years rotated over the sun's northeastern limb this weekend. With a least four dark cores larger than Earth, AR1476 sprawls more than 100,000 km from end to end, and makes an easy target for backyard solar telescopes.
The active region is crackling with impulsive M-class solar flares. Based on the sunspot's complex 'beta-gamma' magnetic field, NOAA forecasters estimate a 70% chance of more M-flares during the next 24 hours. There is also a 5% chance of powerful X-flares.
"This one is going to be fun as turns to face us!" predicts Friedman. He might be right.
This puppy is big. Keeping fingers crossed that we do not have another
Carrington Event.
Posted by DaveH at May 7, 2012 1:32 PM