Nagaland's capital, Kohima, has been placed on high alert after fresh cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) were confirmed. Authorities have declared infected and surveillance zones while banning the movement of pigs, piglets, pork, and pig products to contain the outbreak.
African Swine Fever is a highly contagious viral disease that affects domestic and wild pigs. Although it does not infect humans, it poses a serious threat to the livestock industry and the livelihoods of thousands of pig farmers in Nagaland.

African swine fever outbreak puts Nagaland on high alert | Pig movement banned in Kohima

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.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/volcanic-eruption-in-536-spewed-so-much-ash-that-it-went-dark-for-18-months-749711">Volcanic eruption in 536 spewed so much ash that Sun didn't shine for 18 months</a>

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.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-strange-highway-formed-between-sun-and-earth-in-2023-nasa-says-747914">Aurora on Sun? It happened in 2023 when Earth spewed back particles</a>

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?

One of the biggest stars of our solar system, the Sun, is set to undergo an epic transformation by flipping its magnetic poles. The phenomenon in which the Sun’s magnetic poles reverse their positions happens every 11 years or so. The last time it happened was in 2013, and now it is expected to take place this year between April and August.

Though the flipping of the Sun’s magnetic poles might sound apocalyptic, it is a natural cyclical way through which the Sun shuffles itself. &nbsp;But why does it flip its magnetic poles&nbsp;anyway?&nbsp;

<h2>Why Sun flip its magnetic poles?</h2>

Several stars and planets, like Earth and the Sun, have magnetic fields. These magnetic fields are not stable but are cyclical and keep changing depending on the peak solar cycles.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/young-exoplanets-might-be-oblate-in-shape-like-smarties-rather-than-spherical-study-shows-why-688278">Young exoplanets might be oblate in shape like 'Smarties' rather than spherical. Study shows why</a>

The Sun is a huge ball of hot and ionized gases that keep&nbsp;flowing inside its core, which also generates electric currents in the Sun. The magnetic fields are the byproduct of these heavy-flowing electric currents, as per NASA. Scientists call this process a “dynamo".

NASA explained that the dynamo “reorganises itself” at the peak of each roughly decade-long solar cycle.

“The sun’s polar magnetic fields weaken, go to zero and then emerge again with the opposite polarity. This is a regular part of the solar cycle,” said Stanford solar physicist Phil Scherrer while describing the process to NASA.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/clean-energy-scientists-make-new-record-in-replicating-solar-process-on-earth-688342">Clean energy: Scientists make new record in replicating solar process on Earth</a>

The Sun’s magnetic poles switch consistently every 11 years, while the Earth’s magnetic north pole switches frequently to the south and vice versa, every 10 thousand years.

<h2>Is this reversal of Sun’s magnetic poles dangerous?</h2>

The sun’s magnetic pole reversals typically bring more intense solar storms, which can cause disruption to satellites, communication and GPS in space and disable parts of the electrical grid, according to Earth Sky.

But the best part is, it could bring some lower latitude northern lights. Northern lights are generally located between 60 degrees and 75 degrees latitude, but during the last magnetic pole reversal in 2013, intense auroras were recorded below 50 degrees.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/isros-2nd-launch-mission-of-2024-gslv-f-14-to-ferry-weather-monitoring-satellite-insat-3ds-688350">ISRO's 2nd launch mission of 2024 — GSLV F-14 to ferry weather monitoring satellite INSAT-3DS</a>

The researchers described those auroras through eye-witness accounts as “blood or deep crimson red” that were so bright you “could read a newspaper by.”

<h2>What will change after 2024’s magnetic pole reversal?</h2>

The flipping of the Sun’s magnetic poles will cause intense solar storms, which can “open up Earth’s magnetic field and allow much more energy and mass to enter&nbsp;through, and when that happens, then we tend to see all kinds of impacts," said Boulder Delores Knipp, an engineering professor at the University of Colorado, in conversation with Vox.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/ice-cores-show-quick-loss-of-antarctic-ice-8000-years-ago-688395">Ice cores show quick loss of Antarctic ice 8,000 years ago</a>

It will influence the space weather, which can be challenging for astronauts, and it can also interrupt electrical power on Earth, which can be very dangerous for satellite systems.&nbsp;

However, the National Solar Observatory reported there’s no need to panic, and the sun’s consistent polar flips are evidence that our star is functioning as scientists have predicted.

(With inputs from agencies)

One of the biggest stars of our solar system, the Sun, is set to undergo an epic transformation by flipping its magnetic poles. The phenomenon in which the Sun’s magnetic poles reverse their positions happens every 11 years or so.

One of the biggest stars of our solar system, the Sun, is set to undergo an epic transformation by flipping its magnetic poles. The phenomenon in which the Sun’s magnetic poles reverse their positions happens every 11 years or so. The last time it happened was in 2013, and now it is expected to take place this year between April and August. Though the flipping of the Sun’s magnetic poles might sound apocalyptic, it is a natural cyclical way through which the Sun shuffles itself. But why does it flip its magnetic poles anyway? Why Sun flip its magnetic poles? Several stars and planets, like Earth and the Sun, have magnetic fields. These magnetic fields are not stable but are cyclical and keep changing depending on the peak solar cycles. Also Read | Young exoplanets might be oblate in shape like 'Smarties' rather than spherical. Study shows why The Sun is a huge ball of hot and ionized gases that keep flowing inside its core, which also generates electric currents in the Sun. The magnetic fields are the byproduct of these heavy-flowing electric currents, as per NASA. Scientists call this process a “dynamo". NASA explained that the dynamo “reorganises itself” at the peak of each roughly decade-long solar cycle. “The sun’s polar magnetic fields weaken, go to zero and then emerge again with the opposite polarity. This is a regular part of the solar cycle,” said Stanford solar physicist Phil Scherrer while describing the process to NASA. Also Read | Clean energy: Scientists make new record in replicating solar process on Earth The Sun’s magnetic poles switch consistently every 11 years, while the Earth’s magnetic north pole switches frequently to the south and vice versa, every 10 thousand years. Is this reversal of Sun’s magnetic poles dangerous? The sun’s magnetic pole reversals typically bring more intense solar storms, which can cause disruption to satellites, communication and GPS in space and disable parts of the electrical grid, according to Earth Sky. But the best part is, it could bring some lower latitude northern lights. Northern lights are generally located between 60 degrees and 75 degrees latitude, but during the last magnetic pole reversal in 2013, intense auroras were recorded below 50 degrees. Also Read | ISRO's 2nd launch mission of 2024 — GSLV F-14 to ferry weather monitoring satellite INSAT-3DS The researchers described those auroras through eye-witness accounts as “blood or deep crimson red” that were so bright you “could read a newspaper by.” What will change after 2024’s magnetic pole reversal? The flipping of the Sun’s magnetic poles will cause intense solar storms, which can “open up Earth’s magnetic field and allow much more energy and mass to enter through, and when that happens, then we tend to see all kinds of impacts," said Boulder Delores Knipp, an engineering professor at the University of Colorado, in conversation with Vox. Also Read | Ice cores show quick loss of Antarctic ice 8,000 years ago It will influence the space weather, which can be challenging for astronauts, and it can also interrupt electrical power on Earth, which can be very dangerous for satellite systems. However, the National Solar Observatory reported there’s no need to panic, and the sun’s consistent polar flips are evidence that our star is functioning as scientists have predicted. (With inputs from agencies)

Sun to flip its magnetic poles this year. What does it mean and how will it affect you

A newly captured image by NASA's&nbsp;Solar Dynamics Observatory shows seven Earth-sized dark spots on the Sun that could soon bombard our home planet with solar flares. The cluster of these&nbsp;dark spots have created what scientists are calling a 'solar archipelago'.&nbsp;

The cluster spans 200,000 kilometres which is more than&nbsp;15 times wider than Earth and&nbsp;affecting the way the whole Sun vibrates, according to Spaceweather.com. Sunspots are dark in appearance because they are cooler than other parts relatively (they are still extremely hot at around 6,500 F).&nbsp;

The sunspots are able to emit powerful&nbsp;coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that can slam into Earth and trigger potentially dangerous geomagnetic storms, regardless of whether we can see the dark patches. This means we can be caught off guard by extreme space weather events.&nbsp;

The huge clouds of electrified gas travel at speeds of hundreds of miles per second and can affect power grids, communications, GPS navigation, air travel and satellites. The only upside is the beautiful auroras that form at the poles of Earth.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Earth-orbiting satellites have already registered three M-class flares and nearly a dozen C-class flares since first spotting the sunspot group, numbered AR3490 and its cracking flares.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-fineprint-nasa-announces-plans-for-a-nuclear-rocket-555955">Watch |&nbsp;WION Fineprint: NASA announces plans for a nuclear rocket</a>

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<h2>How are solar flares/sunspots formed?</h2>

Solar activity follows a regular pattern with peaks and lows occurring every 11 years. These cycles, known as solar maximum and solar minimum, are driven by the Sun's magnetic field.&nbsp;

We are currently in Solar Cycle 25 and expected to reach a solar maximum around July 2025. However, this cycle has shown greater activity than anticipated by NASA and the NOAA, with the official prediction of around 115 sunspots at the peak.&nbsp;

Scientists are unsure why the Sun has been more active than expected, and further observation is necessary to improve future predictions and deepen our understanding of the Sun's internal processes.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/big-solar-flare-incoming-intriguing-black-patch-on-sun-captured-by-perseverance-mars-rover-627893">Also read |&nbsp;Big solar flare incoming? Intriguing black patch on Sun captured by Perseverance Mars rover</a>

Apart from the&nbsp;Solar Dynamics Observatory, NASA's&nbsp;Perseverance Mars rover, using its Mastcam-Z camera system also captures images of the Sun daily. While the main aim is to gauge&nbsp;the amount of dust present in the Martian atmosphere, the camera is also able to capture the sunspots.&nbsp;The rover manages to spot these sunspots early because Mars is orbiting the far side of the Sun and thus has a week headstart over Earth.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

A newly captured image by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory shows seven Earth-sized dark spots on the Sun that could soon bombard our home planet with solar flares.

A newly captured image by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory shows seven Earth-sized dark spots on the Sun that could soon bombard our home planet with solar flares. The cluster of these dark spots have created what scientists are calling a 'solar archipelago'. The cluster spans 200,000 kilometres which is more than 15 times wider than Earth and affecting the way the whole Sun vibrates, according to Spaceweather.com. Sunspots are dark in appearance because they are cooler than other parts relatively (they are still extremely hot at around 6,500 F). The sunspots are able to emit powerful coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that can slam into Earth and trigger potentially dangerous geomagnetic storms, regardless of whether we can see the dark patches. This means we can be caught off guard by extreme space weather events. The huge clouds of electrified gas travel at speeds of hundreds of miles per second and can affect power grids, communications, GPS navigation, air travel and satellites. The only upside is the beautiful auroras that form at the poles of Earth. Earth-orbiting satellites have already registered three M-class flares and nearly a dozen C-class flares since first spotting the sunspot group, numbered AR3490 and its cracking flares. Watch | WION Fineprint: NASA announces plans for a nuclear rocket × How are solar flares/sunspots formed? Solar activity follows a regular pattern with peaks and lows occurring every 11 years. These cycles, known as solar maximum and solar minimum, are driven by the Sun's magnetic field. We are currently in Solar Cycle 25 and expected to reach a solar maximum around July 2025. However, this cycle has shown greater activity than anticipated by NASA and the NOAA, with the official prediction of around 115 sunspots at the peak. Scientists are unsure why the Sun has been more active than expected, and further observation is necessary to improve future predictions and deepen our understanding of the Sun's internal processes. Also read | Big solar flare incoming? Intriguing black patch on Sun captured by Perseverance Mars rover Apart from the Solar Dynamics Observatory, NASA's Perseverance Mars rover, using its Mastcam-Z camera system also captures images of the Sun daily. While the main aim is to gauge the amount of dust present in the Martian atmosphere, the camera is also able to capture the sunspots. The rover manages to spot these sunspots early because Mars is orbiting the far side of the Sun and thus has a week headstart over Earth. (With inputs from agencies)

Cluster of dark spots 15 times wider than Earth spotted on Sun, scientists issue warning

Scientists have said that the sun's activity is peaking sooner than expected. According to a report by CNN on Friday (July 14), initially, the peak activity was forecast to begin in July 2025, but now experts believe the peak is more likely to take place in mid-to-late 2024.

Scientists have said that the sun's activity is peaking sooner than expected. According to a report by CNN on Friday (July 14), initially, the peak activity was forecast to begin in July 2025, but now experts believe the peak is more likely to take place in mid-to-late 2024. Every 11 years, the sun experiences periods of low and high solar activity that is associated with the amount of sunspots on its surface. Throughout a solar cycle, the sun would transition from a calm to an intense and active period. The report said that during the peak period, the sun’s magnetic poles flip. Current solar cycle full of activity The report added that Solar Cycle 25 - which is the current solar cycle - has been full of activity, more so than expected. Scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center in Colorado tracked more sunspots than those counted at the peak of the previous cycle. Speaking to CNN, scientist Mark Miesch said that no two solar cycles are the same. “This solar maximum is the space weather equivalent of hurricane season. It’s when we see the biggest storms. But unlike hurricane season, which lasts a few months, solar maximum lasts a few years,” Miesch added. The report highlighted that as solar maximum nears, sunspot clumps would form with increasingly greater frequency leading to a boost of activity. “As we become more dependent on technology, on electrical power grids, on satellites, on aircraft and on GPS, the impacts of space weather increase because these are the kinds of systems that are affected by solar storms,” Miesch also said. The predictions The new predictions for solar maximum were led by Scott McIntosh, deputy director of the National Center for Atmospheric Research, and Robert Leamon, an associate research scientist at the Goddard Planetary Heliophysics Institute, along with their collaborators. The CNN report said that rather than tracking sunspots, the researchers focused on what they called the terminator- it is a point when activity from one solar cycle disappears from the sun's surface, followed by a sharp increase in solar activity in the new cycle. Sunspots are regarded as a keystone of solar cycle prediction, but Robert Leamon believes that tracking the magnetic activity that leads to the sunspots could yield more accurate predictions. And once the solar maximum is reached, the activity can persist for years. Leamon said that the number of solar flares peaks after the maximum. “The peak of consequence is after maximum by a couple of years, so the biggest effects here on Earth will happen after maximum,” he added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Scientists say sun's activity peaking sooner than expected, likely in 2024: Report

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African swine fever outbreak puts Nagaland on high alert | Pig movement banned in Kohima

African swine fever outbreak puts Nagaland on high alert | Pig movement banned in Kohima

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

Sun to flip its magnetic poles this year. What does it mean and how will it affect you

Cluster of dark spots 15 times wider than Earth spotted on Sun, scientists issue warning

Scientists say sun's activity peaking sooner than expected, likely in 2024: Report