The Sun has had the largest number of sunspots in over 20 years this month, according to the US agencies observing the star.

The estimated Sunspot Number or SNN for 8 August may have reached 299, said the US Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) in Boulder, Colorado.

This is the largest number since at least July 2002, it said on its website.&nbsp;These sunspots occurred in a 24-hour period.

The current solar cycle, which is numbered as Solar Cycle 25, "likely reached its highest SSN thus far on August 8, a value of perhaps 299," it said. A solar cycle, estimated to last 11 years, is how the Sun alternates between its so-called solar minimum and solar maximum.

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The official SSN data is released by global agencies in September, though 299 appears to be a possible number. The final number will come from the World Data Center - Sunspot Index and Long-Term Solar Observations (WDC-SILSO).

In fact, the SWPC had recorded the SSN higher at 337, a value not observed since March 2001.&nbsp;

<h2>What are sun spots?</h2>

Each sunspot is the size of the whole earth. These are relatively darker areas on the Sun.&nbsp;

The rotations of the Sun in each solar cycle lead to areas of magnetic energy on the star. When these areas are very strong, they become visible as sunspots.&nbsp;

<h2>What is the result of sunspots?</h2>

Sunspots have strong magnetic fields that cause coronal mass ejections or CMEs.&nbsp;CMEs release large amounts of plasma and magnetic fields&nbsp;from&nbsp;the Sun's corona region.&nbsp;

These cause solar flares that send out electromagnetic radiation and are experienced as geomagnetic 'solar storms' on Earth.

As sunspots increase, a corresponding rise in solar flares&nbsp;is observed.

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Warnings were issued for geomagnetic storms&nbsp;in the August 11-12 period, around the time when sunspots were estimated at the highest since 2002. 
 
"Solar Cycle 25 is proving to be much more active than originally forecast by the scientist experts who predicted the cycle back in 2019 or so," Space.com quoted Shawn Dahl of SWPC as saying.

The Solar Cycle 25 has already caused intense geomagnetic storms, and auroras on Earth.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The Sun has had the largest number of sunspots in over 20 years this month, according to the US agencies observing the star. The estimated Sunspot Number or SNN for 8 August may have reached 299, said the US Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) in Boulder, Colorado.

The Sun has had the largest number of sunspots in over 20 years this month, according to the US agencies observing the star. The estimated Sunspot Number or SNN for 8 August may have reached 299, said the US Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) in Boulder, Colorado. This is the largest number since at least July 2002, it said on its website. These sunspots occurred in a 24-hour period. The current solar cycle, which is numbered as Solar Cycle 25, "likely reached its highest SSN thus far on August 8, a value of perhaps 299," it said. A solar cycle, estimated to last 11 years, is how the Sun alternates between its so-called solar minimum and solar maximum. Also read | Volcanic eruption in 536 spewed so much ash that Sun didn't shine for 18 months The official SSN data is released by global agencies in September, though 299 appears to be a possible number. The final number will come from the World Data Center - Sunspot Index and Long-Term Solar Observations (WDC-SILSO). In fact, the SWPC had recorded the SSN higher at 337, a value not observed since March 2001. What are sun spots? Each sunspot is the size of the whole earth. These are relatively darker areas on the Sun. The rotations of the Sun in each solar cycle lead to areas of magnetic energy on the star. When these areas are very strong, they become visible as sunspots. What is the result of sunspots? Sunspots have strong magnetic fields that cause coronal mass ejections or CMEs. CMEs release large amounts of plasma and magnetic fields from the Sun's corona region. These cause solar flares that send out electromagnetic radiation and are experienced as geomagnetic 'solar storms' on Earth. As sunspots increase, a corresponding rise in solar flares is observed. Also read | Aurora on Sun? It happened in 2023 when Earth spewed back particles Warnings were issued for geomagnetic storms in the August 11-12 period, around the time when sunspots were estimated at the highest since 2002. "Solar Cycle 25 is proving to be much more active than originally forecast by the scientist experts who predicted the cycle back in 2019 or so," Space.com quoted Shawn Dahl of SWPC as saying. The Solar Cycle 25 has already caused intense geomagnetic storms, and auroras on Earth. (With inputs from agencies)

The Sun probably just had the largest number of sunspots in over 20 years: What does it mean?

Sun released another set of solar flares on Saturday (Jul 13) and the explosion was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory from space. The X-class flare, the most powerful class of solar flare, was released from Sunspot AR3738. The solar flares resulted in shortwave radio blackouts across Australia, Southeast Asia, and Japan. Communication blackouts are a common occurrence due to the intensity of the X-rays and extreme ultraviolet radiation emitted during these events.

However, no coronal mass ejection (CME) was noticed by scientists as a result of the solar flare. CME is when the sun releases large amounts of plasma and magnetic field. Experts checked for CMEs until several hours later but failed to find any. Coronal mass ejections are responsible for the creation of auroras on Earth.&nbsp;

This one was an X-class solar flare, which is the strongest. Next comes the M-class flare which is 10 times less powerful than X-class. The list includes C-class, B-class and A-class, in that order.&nbsp;

The sun has been extremely active over the past few months. At the end of April, an extremely powerful solar flare caused massive radio blackouts across the Pacific region. In May, beautiful auroras were seen across the globe, even in regions where auroras are not common. Scientists witnessed the sun become active with solar flares being released from sunspot AR3664, along with massive coronal mass ejection.&nbsp;

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In June, sunspot AR3723 was seen firing off a strong solar flare and made a re-appearance in the next few days. It made a total of three appearances across the Earthside of the Sun. On June 23, it emitted an M-class solar flare. Temporary radio blackouts were reported in Africa and Western Europe.&nbsp;

<h2>Why do solar flares cause radio blackouts?</h2>

Travelling at the speed of light, radiation from solar flares electrically charges the upper atmosphere of Earth. The high-frequency shortwave radio signals then have a denser environment to pass through. When the radio waves interact with electrons in the ionized layers, increased collisions lead to loss of energy, absorbing the radio signals. 
&nbsp;

Sun released another set of solar flares on Saturday (Jul 13) and the explosion was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory from space. The X-class flare, the most powerful class of solar flare, was released from Sunspot AR3738.

Sun released another set of solar flares on Saturday (Jul 13) and the explosion was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory from space. The X-class flare, the most powerful class of solar flare, was released from Sunspot AR3738. The solar flares resulted in shortwave radio blackouts across Australia, Southeast Asia, and Japan. Communication blackouts are a common occurrence due to the intensity of the X-rays and extreme ultraviolet radiation emitted during these events. However, no coronal mass ejection (CME) was noticed by scientists as a result of the solar flare. CME is when the sun releases large amounts of plasma and magnetic field. Experts checked for CMEs until several hours later but failed to find any. Coronal mass ejections are responsible for the creation of auroras on Earth. This one was an X-class solar flare, which is the strongest. Next comes the M-class flare which is 10 times less powerful than X-class. The list includes C-class, B-class and A-class, in that order. The sun has been extremely active over the past few months. At the end of April, an extremely powerful solar flare caused massive radio blackouts across the Pacific region. In May, beautiful auroras were seen across the globe, even in regions where auroras are not common. Scientists witnessed the sun become active with solar flares being released from sunspot AR3664, along with massive coronal mass ejection. Also Read: Ancient shark that lived alongside dinosaurs might have been a predator In June, sunspot AR3723 was seen firing off a strong solar flare and made a re-appearance in the next few days. It made a total of three appearances across the Earthside of the Sun. On June 23, it emitted an M-class solar flare. Temporary radio blackouts were reported in Africa and Western Europe. Why do solar flares cause radio blackouts? Travelling at the speed of light, radiation from solar flares electrically charges the upper atmosphere of Earth. The high-frequency shortwave radio signals then have a denser environment to pass through. When the radio waves interact with electrons in the ionized layers, increased collisions lead to loss of energy, absorbing the radio signals.

Sunspot AR3738 releases X-class solar flare triggering radio blackouts in Australia and Japan

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The Sun probably just had the largest number of sunspots in over 20 years: What does it mean?

Sunspot AR3738 releases X-class solar flare triggering radio blackouts in Australia and Japan