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Science/Tech See other Science/Tech Articles Title: A 75,000-mile-wide HOLE has appeared on the sun – and experts warn it could knock out communications satellites and cause blackouts on Earth Nasa spotted the sunspot last week, but it has lingered through to today Dubbed AR2665, it is big enough to be spotted from Earth Experts have warned the spot is large enough to produce 'M-class' solar flares These can cause stunning auroras, and wipe out communication satellites A huge spot has appeared on the sun that could send dangerous solar flares down to Earth. The sunspot, dubbed AR2665, is 74,560 miles (120,000 kilometres) wide – big enough to be seen from Earth. Experts have warned that the spot is large enough to produce 'M-class' solar flares, which can cause radio blackouts on Earth, knock out communications satellites and create radiation storms. Scroll down for video A huge spot has appeared on the sun that could send dangerous solar flares down to Earth. The sunspot, dubbed AR2665, is 74,560 miles (120,000 kilometres) wide – big enough to be seen from Earth HOW COULD IT AFFECT EARTH? Solar flares can damage satellites and have an enormous financial cost. Astronauts are not in immediate danger because of the relatively low orbit of this manned mission. They do have to be concerned about cumulative exposure during space walks. The charged particles can also threaten airlines by disturbing the Earth's magnetic field. Very large flares can even create currents within electricity grids and knock out energy supplies. Nasa's Solar Dynamics Observatory first detected the huge spot last week, and it appears to have lingered through to this week. Sunspots are darker, cooler areas on the surface of the sun, caused by interactions with the sun's magnetic field. They tend to appear in regions of intense magnetic activity, and when that energy is released, solar flares and huge storms erupt from sunspots. Such a storm could create stunning auroras around the world, as well as play havoc with power grids, potentially causing blackouts in some areas. In a statement, Nasa said: 'A new sunspot group has rotated into view and seems to be growing rather quickly. 'It is the first sunspot to appear after the sun was spotless for two days, and it is the only sunspot group on the sun at this moment. Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
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