The Sun is heading towards the maximum of its 11-year activity cycle, which is expected in 2025/2026. This is causing frequent eruptions on its surface. After eruptions on the Sun, there is an increase in the solar wind and its impact on the Earth's ionosphere and magnetosphere, which is reflected in the disruption of radio communications and the intensification of the polar aurora. In recent days, there have been three explosions (eruptions) in almost the same place on the surface of the Sun. The last one, which occurred yesterday, on February 9, 2024, at 13:10 UTC or 14:10 by Belgrade time, was the strongest (with a rating of X3.3). The eruption occurred in the active region AR 3575 (NOAA 13575), where the previous two occurred, the first on February 6 at 03:40 UTC and the second on February 7 at 03:31 UTC. The solar wind particles from these eruptions will miss the Earth this time, but it is possible that explosions will continue in this region when it is turned towards the Earth and that a strong flux of particles will hit the upper parts of the Earth's atmosphere. Astronomers from the Astronomical Observatory in Belgrade are monitoring the events related to solar activity and will inform the public, especially about strong explosions on the Sun that could have an impact on the Earth.
SOURCE: Astronomical Observatory, Belgrade, Research Unit for Monitoring of Solar Activity, Climate Change and Light Pollution
Contact: Ivan Živanović
On the photo: An image of the eruption from the SOHO spacecraft and a plot of the increase of Solar radiation in the X-ray domain.
