[ad_1]
A group of sunspots appeared from the Earth side the sun, just in time for Thanksgiving.
Researchers identified sunspots even before they were visible to Earth, via a technique called helioseismology, which uses acoustic waves below the sun’s surface to probe features.
“We measured a change in the acoustic signals on the other side of the sun,” Alexei Pevtsov, associate director of the National Solar Observatory (NSO) program which generates solar forecasts, said in a press release. “We can use this technique to identify what is happening on the side of the sun facing Earth, days before we can see it from here.”
Pictures: Sunspots on the closest star to Earth
Scientists have predicted that the sunspots, the largest of which appears to be several times the size of Earth, would spin in sight before Thanksgiving, which falls on November 26 this year. And it did happen.
You may be able to see sunspots with appropriate filters on binoculars or a small telescope, but Pay attention: You must have ISO certified filters on equipment at all times to observe the sun safely. Never look directly at the sun without such protective equipment, especially when using astronomical equipment; it can cause permanent eye damage, including blindness.
Researchers use sunspots to make predictions about space weather, the activity that the sun generates near the Earth. Charged particle eruptions can disrupt satellite communications and power lines, so it’s critical to know when sunspots – centers of magnetic activity that serve as launch pads for such explosions – will circle the bend and face our planet .
“Having up to five days of delay on the presence of active sunspots is extremely valuable for our very technological society,” added Pevtsov.
The sun is in the first months of its 11-year sunspot cycle and in a relatively quiet period. The sunspot group produced the strongest signal ever seen in this cycle, added Kiran Jain, the scientist leading the prediction on the other side of NSO, in the same release.
NSO has six monitoring stations around the world that monitor the sun through the Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG), which is funded by the United States National Science Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
NSO officials added that the group anticipates having to upgrade GONG in the coming years, as the network is almost three decades old and requires more modern instrumentation.
Follow Elizabeth Howell on Twitter @howellspace. follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.
[ad_2]
Source link