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Astroalert News
The Sun as it looked Monday, March
26th. Tuesday the big spot group is more directly north
of the Sun's center; the Sun's rotation is carrying all
the spots toward the right (celestial west). Courtesy Big
Bear Solar Observatory.
A significant
increase in solar activity has been observed during the
last week following almost 3 months of very quiet activity.
The sun appears to be in a state of energetic sunspot growth.
This is evidenced by the appearance of a large sunspot group
that recently rotated around the eastern solar limb. This
sunspot group, which is now visible to the PROTECTED naked
eye, is the largest and most complex sunspot group we have
observed in many months. (Do NOT look directly at the Sun
to attempt to see this sunspot group. If you are interested
in looking at this sunspot group, please make certain you
protect your eyes properly. Even the slightest glance at
the Sun will result in permanent eye damage.)
Known
as NOAA Region number 9393, this sunspot group is magnetically
complex and large enough to be the source of very energetic
solar activity during the next week and a half as it rotates
across the visible face of the Sun. Major class M and X
x-ray flares are possible from this spot complex. Although
no major flares have yet been directly observed from this
region, the appearance of additional spots near this spot
complex may provide the necessary impetus for larger-scale
solar flares to begin erupting. Other sunspot groups visible
are also capable of producing potentially energetic levels
of solar of activity.
Prospects
are improving for people anxious to observe auroral activity.
The odds are improving for an Earth-directed impact of a
coronal mass ejection should one of the sunspot complexes
on the Sun produce energetic activity. Aurora watchers are
encouraged to keep a close eye on the sky during the next
week to 10 days. Good discussions of possible activity and
recently observed activity from seasoned aurora photographers
can be found at: http://www.spacew.com/aurora/forum.html
Images
of the Sun and the current naked-eye sunspot complex are
available at:
http://www.spacew.com/astroalert.html.
The
Solar Terrestrial Dispatch recently began providing a science
oriented IRC chat network service for those who are interested
in discussing topics relating to solar activity, auroral
activity, space weather and any other science oriented topics.
Directly supported channels include:
Mitch
Battros
Producer - Earth Changes TV
http://www.earthchangesTV.com
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