SPACE WARNING: Huge sunspot appears and threatens widespread chaos
A HUGE spot more than 10 times the size of Earth has appeared on the sun leading to fears that it could release a devastating solar flare wiping out all technology.
SPACE WARNING: Huge sunspot appears and threatens widespread chaos
Nasa has spotted a large black dot on the surface of the sun which is 74,560 miles wide – almost 11 times larger than Earth’s diameter.
The massive sunspot, known as AR2665, could release an M-class solar flare – the second strongest after X-class.
If it does, the massive wave of particles that bombard Earth could wipe out technology on the planet.
Solar flares can wreak havoc on global technology as the radiation which strikes our planet heats up the outer atmosphere, causing it to expand.
The sunspot is 74,560 miles wide
This means satellite signals will struggle to penetrate the swollen atmosphere, leading to a lack of internet service, GPS navigation, as well as satellite TV such as Sky, and mobile phone signal.
The solar storm could wipe out technology on Earth
Observatory captures INTENSE solar storm
Additionally, increased currents in the Earth’s magnetic field – or magnetosphere – could theoretically lead to a surge of electricity in power lines, which can blow out electrical transformers and power stations leading to a temporary loss of electricity in a region.
The sunspot was noticed last week, but has expanded at “breakneck” speed, which experts say should be monitored constantly.
The website Space Weather said: “So far the sunspot has not produced any strong solar flares, but this could change if the sunspot’s breakneck growth destabilises its magnetic field.
“Amateur astronomers are encouraged to monitor this expanding sunspot.”