MOSCOW – The Sun experienced new eruptions of giant prominences on Thursday. These events are not expected to affect the Earth`s geomagnetic or radiation environment, according to scientists at the Laboratory of Solar Astronomy of the Space Research Institute (IKI) of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
The laboratory reported on its Telegram channel that «giant prominence ejections into space continue to be registered on the Sun, despite its otherwise calm state.» Researchers noted that a similar occurrence took place just a few days prior. On this occasion, two prominences simultaneously detached from the Sun`s left and right edges and were launched into space. The laboratory pointed out that at its peak size, the second prominence exceeded the diameter of the Sun itself.
It was also clarified that the prominence on the right side had been visible on the solar disk facing Earth for nearly the entire preceding week. If it had erupted earlier, it could have potentially caused significant geomagnetic and radiation consequences on our planet. However, these risks are now absent as the plasma is clearly moving away from Earth. The right-side ejection is projected to reach Venus, while the left-side one is expected to impact Mars, the researchers explained.
Scientists suggested that the frequent appearance of large prominences on the Sun is likely linked to a significant decrease in solar flare activity, which allows these structures to grow to such immense sizes.
