Solar Flares. Archive Photo. © Space Weather — xras.ru/Telegram
Large active regions and prominent sunspot groups, recently responsible for powerful explosions on the far side of the Sun, are now rotating into view from Earth. This development was announced by the Laboratory of Solar Astronomy at the Space Research Institute (IKI) of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
«Activity centers that initiated the recent strong flares are now emerging towards Earth. A significant increase in the frequency of solar flares is anticipated,» stated a message from the Laboratory on its Telegram channel.
Currently, only the peaks of vast magnetic loops are visible emerging from beyond the Sun`s limb. These loops, resembling the crowns of colossal trees, extend 100-200 thousand kilometers above the solar surface. However, the sunspot groups from which these loops originate remain hidden behind the horizon, leaving their precise dimensions and the remaining energy reserves unknown.
The Laboratory emphasized that these solar regions have exhibited exceptionally high activity in recent days. Explosions in these areas have ejected at least three significant prominences and substantial volumes of plasma into space. While these ejections were directed away from Earth, towards Mars, scientists warn that as these active regions continue their rotation towards the Sun-Earth line, the associated risks will rapidly escalate, reaching their peak by the end of next week.
«At present, it is uncertain whether these accumulated energy reserves will endure until then or if they will be depleted by earlier explosive events. Nevertheless, the probability of powerful solar flares in the coming days is among the highest recorded this summer. Preliminary findings regarding the impact of these phenomena on Earth are expected within a few days,» the Laboratory added.
