New Delhi, India

A sunspot region, AR3723 was spotted on June 23 2024 firing off a strong solar flare. This sunspot has re-emerged and was earlier known as AR3723 and AR3697. 

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This hyperactive sunspot was responsible for the breathtaking phenomenon of the aurora lights that were witnessed across the globe in May 2024. 

What is the sunspot region AR3723? 

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The sunspot region, AR3723 has made its third appearance across the Earthside of the sun. Although this region is smaller, compared to the previous sunspots its magnetic waves are emitting stronger solar flares. 

On June 23 2024, the AR3723 emitted a Mp.3-class solar flare. The intensity of this flare was just slightly less compared to an X-flare, the most powerful class of solar flare. 

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This solar flare caused a temporary radio blackout in Africa and Western Europe. According to scientists, such radio blackouts are common. The radiation from solar flares travels towards the Earth at the speed of light and gives an electrical charge to the top of Earth's atmosphere causing a temporary radio blackout. 

What can one expect once the sunspot region faces Earth?  

Once the sunspot region AR3723 faces Earth, one can expect to witness the mind-blowing aurora lights. 

Scientists will keep a close watch on this sunspot region as the previous one (AR3697) had produced 6 X-class flares and 28 M-class flares. 

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Keith Strong, a solar physicist took to X and wrote, "SO NEAR AND YET SO FAR! A new sunspot region on the SE limb just produced an M9.7 flare (just 3% short of an X flare).

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How do researchers keep track of the sunspots? 

The sun rotates every 27 days, so a particular sunspot is visible for about two weeks before it moves to the western edge of the sun and becomes out of sight. Currently, it is not possible to track sunspots after they move to the back region of the sun. Hence, once they re-emerge they are given a new active region number. 

(With inputs from agencies)