Jeddah Astronomy Society observes the return of two sunspots and explains their impact
The head of the Jeddah Astronomical Society, Engineer Majed Abu Zahra, announced new developments in solar activity. The latest satellite images specializing in solar monitoring indicate the anticipated return of remnants of two old sunspot regions (4294) and (4296). He explained that these two spots are currently located behind the southeastern edge of the sun's disk and are expected to gradually return to direct view from Earth within the next 48 hours, as a result of the sun's continued rotation on its axis.
History of monitoring and previous activity
Abu Zahra explained that these two regions are not entirely new, as they were last observed on December 12th. At that time, the spots were in direct opposition to Earth and exhibited significant activity, including several low- and medium-intensity solar flares. However, no extreme or X-class solar events were recorded during that period, thus limiting their impact.
What are sunspots and what is their current cycle?
To understand the context of this event, it's important to note that sunspots are dark areas on the Sun's surface (photosphere) that are cooler than the surrounding areas. They result from intense concentrations of magnetic field flux, which inhibits convection. The Sun is currently in Solar Cycle 25, an 11-year cycle of activity characterized by an increasing number of sunspots and solar flares. Monitoring these sunspots is crucial for astronomers, as they serve as a key indicator of solar activity that can impact the entire solar system.
Space weather forecasts and their impact on Earth
Regarding the potential impact on Earth, the head of the Jeddah Astronomical Society indicated that recent observational data is reassuring so far. The data has not shown any large coronal mass ejections (CMEs) beyond the southeastern edge of the Sun in the past few days. This absence of large ejections significantly reduces the likelihood of geomagnetic storms or direct, powerful effects on near-Earth space weather when these regions reappear.
Scientists are usually interested in monitoring these phenomena because strong solar activity can affect wireless communication networks, GPS navigation systems, and even electrical power grids in extreme cases, in addition to forming the spectacular aurora borealis.
The importance of continuous scientific monitoring
Abu Zahra emphasized that monitoring regions 4294 and 4296 is of particular scientific importance; sunspots do not necessarily lose their activity simply by temporarily disappearing behind the sun's disk during its rotation. These spots may resume producing flares and solar emissions upon their reappearance, depending primarily on the complexity of their magnetic structure and whether they have retained their energy or dissipated.
The current solar landscape and accompanying analyses are based on high-resolution images captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), specifically in the 171 angstrom wavelength range. This wavelength is designed to highlight the hot plasma in the solar corona, helping scientists track the evolution of active regions and complex magnetic structures with extreme precision.
Engineer Majed Abu Zahra concluded his remarks by emphasizing that solar physicists around the world, including observers in the Arab region, will continue to closely monitor the two regions as they approach their return to direct observation, to assess any possible renewal of solar activity and monitor any possible repercussions on the space environment surrounding the Earth.
