At certain hot spots on the Sun's surface, plasma interacts with magnetic fields, causing solar storms that are directed toward Earth. These active regions cannot be constantly observed from Earth because the Sun rotates on its axis; as they move toward the far side of the Sun, they inevitably darken for two weeks.
However, in 2024, the European Space Agency's Solar Orbiter spacecraft followed a specific active region appearing on the far side of the Sun for a record 94-day period. New research published in Astronomy and astrophysics reported that Solar Orbiter data gave researchers a rare opportunity to see how an active region evolves over time; According to them, this kind of observation could help improve predictions of solar storms in the future.
Read more: First map of the Sun's outer edge illuminates the solar wind's escape path
Solar activity on the far side
ESA's Solar Orbiter, launched in 2020, orbits the Sun every six months, collecting instrumental data about the far side and its hidden features. This perspective proved especially useful during the period from April to July 2024, when one of the most active regions of the Sun in the last 20 years materialized.
This active region, known as NOAA 13664, was first discovered by the Solar Orbiter spacecraft on April 16, 2024. The spacecraft observed the emergence and development of this area on the far side. By May, NOAA 13664 turned toward the near side of the Sun (the one facing Earth), releasing powerful energy. solar storms on Earth since 2003. Once the region became visible, researchers monitored its development using NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory spacecraft positioned along the Earth-Sun line.
In total, the researchers were able to observe NOAA 13664 almost continuously for 94 days.
“This is the longest continuous series of images ever produced for a single active region: a milestone in solar physics,” said Ioannis Kontogiannis, a solar physicist at ETH Zurich, in his report. statement.
Strongest solar storm in two decades
Solar storms in May 2024 hit the Earth with charged particles that were launched from the Sun in a series of chaotic eruptions. A barrage of electromagnetic radiation sent out several flares observed from May 7 to May 11; According to NASA, the eight flares were the most powerful type of flare, known as an X-class.
The geomagnetic storm that hit the Earth reached a G5 rating, the highest level on the geomagnetic storm scale. This storm created something beautiful auroras which were seen throughout the Earth, but it also caused power outages and interference with communication signals.
NOAA 13664 had a particularly nasty impact on agriculture; As the signals of drones, satellites and sensors were disrupted, farmers faced difficulties in growing crops, resulting in economic losses.
“This is a good reminder that the sun is the only star that influences our activities,” Kontogiannis said. “We live next to this star, so it is very important to observe it and try to understand how it works and how it affects our environment.”
Improved space weather forecast
Using Solar Orbiter's image of NOAA 13664, researchers were able to track three rotations of the Sun for the first time, seeing how flares are produced through an increasingly complex process. magnetic structure in the active region.
Continued study of the Sun's active regions could be key to predicting solar storms, the researchers say.
“When we see an area on the Sun with an extremely complex magnetic field, we can assume that there is a large amount of energy there that will have to be released in the form of solar storms,” said Louise Harra, a physicist at ETH Zurich.
Space weather forecasts are still far from perfect. Researchers still can't predict the strength of the eruption or its exact timing, but improved technology is on the way. ESA's Vigil space probe, still under development and scheduled for launch in 2031, will be an important aid in improving space weather forecasts.
Read more: Solar probe's journey to the Sun reveals the mystery of solar flares
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