Thanksgiving Sun Treats: Large sunspots appear to rotate
A group of sunspots appeared on the side facing the earth SunIn time for Thanksgiving.
Researchers said that before the sunspots were visible from Earth, HelioseismInvestigate the features using sound waves below the surface of the sun.
“We measured changes in the acoustic signal across the sun,” said Alexei Pevtsov, Associate Director of the National Solar Astronomical Observatory (NSO) program, which generates solar forecasts. Said in a statement.. “We can use this technique to identify what is happening on the side of the sun, which is facing away from the earth, a few days before we can get a glimpse of it.”
Photo: Sunspots of stars closest to Earth
Scientists have predicted that sunspots, the largest of which are believed to be several times larger than Earth, will appear to rotate during Thanksgiving on November 26, this year. And this has certainly happened.
You may be able to see sunspots with appropriate filters with binoculars or a small telescope, be careful: Absolutely required Always ISO certified filter for equipment Observe the sun safely. Do not look directly at the sun without such protective equipment, especially when using astronomical equipment. Doing so can cause permanent eye damage, including blindness.
Researchers use sunspots Space weather, The activity that the sun produces near the earth. Eruption of charged particles It is essential to know when sunspots (the hubs of magnetic activity that act as launch pads for such explosions) turn around and face the Earth, as they can disrupt satellite communications and power lines. ..
“Having a lead time of up to five days for the presence of active sunspots is of great value to a technology-intensive society,” Pevtsov added.
The sun Early 11-year solar cycle And in a relatively quiet time. In the same statement that the sunspot group produced the strongest signal ever observed in this cycle, added Kiran Jain, a scientist leading distant predictions at NSO.
NSO has six monitoring stations around the world that monitor the sun through the Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG), funded by the National Science Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
NSO officials added that the group expects GONG to need to be upgraded in the next few years as the network is almost 30 years old and requires more up-to-date equipment.
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Thanksgiving Sun Treats: Large sunspots appear to rotate
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