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?

Perihelion Day 2024: This year has just started and we are already set to observe the first astronomical event in January. Though January is packed with spectacular astronomical events, this event will mark the onset of galactic dance. Our planet Earth will make its closest approach to the Sun on January 3, which is called Perihelion Day.&nbsp;

The term “perihelion” is a Greek word that refers to the point in the orbit of a planet or any other astronomical body, at which it is closest to the Sun. “Peri” means around and “helios” means the sun in Greek. The opposite of perihelion is aphelion - a point where an orbiting body is farthest from the Sun.&nbsp;

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Here’s more you need to know about the day:

<h2>What is Perihelion Day?</h2>

The orbit of Earth is not a perfect circle but an elliptical one. It revolves around the Sun in this elliptical path and completes its revolution. As Earth’s orbital velocity decreases it moves away from the Sun, as the Earth does. It travels at its slowest speed as it approaches the farthest point from the Sun, i.e. aphelion.&nbsp;

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It accelerates as it begins to move back towards the Sun. Earth then travels at maximum speed as it approaches the closest point to the Sun, or perihelion, almost defying the Sun’s gravitational pull. It is then eventually overpowered by the Sun’s force and falls back into its normal cycle.&nbsp;

However, the process is never exactly repeated and that is why the date for the occurrence of Perihelion Day also keeps changing from year to year.&nbsp;

<h2>When is Perihelion Day in 2024?</h2>

Perihelion Day generally occurs in early January of every year, which is almost two weeks after the December Solstice. For 2024, our Earth will make its closest appearance to the Sun on Wednesday (Jan 3) at 1:00 UTC.&nbsp;

Early January will see Earth approximately 3 per cent closer to the Sun than early July when Earth is at its aphelion. Thus, during the first part of January, when winter is in the northern hemisphere, Earth comes closest to the Sun annually.

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For your understanding, here is a quantification of the perihelion and aphelion of Earth in 2024. It will be 91,404,095 miles away from the Sun at perihelion and 94,510,539 miles away from the Sun at aphelion. So, Earth is about 4,800,000 km (3,000,000 miles) farther from the Sun in July than in January. Isn’t that fascinating?&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Perihelion Day 2024: This year has just started and we are already set to observe the first astronomical event in January. Though January is packed with spectacular astronomical events, this event will mark the onset of galactic dance.

Perihelion Day 2024: This year has just started and we are already set to observe the first astronomical event in January. Though January is packed with spectacular astronomical events, this event will mark the onset of galactic dance. Our planet Earth will make its closest approach to the Sun on January 3, which is called Perihelion Day. The term “perihelion” is a Greek word that refers to the point in the orbit of a planet or any other astronomical body, at which it is closest to the Sun. “Peri” means around and “helios” means the sun in Greek. The opposite of perihelion is aphelion - a point where an orbiting body is farthest from the Sun. Also Read | Rewind 2023: India has 204 space startups, sector received $123mn investments Here’s more you need to know about the day: What is Perihelion Day? The orbit of Earth is not a perfect circle but an elliptical one. It revolves around the Sun in this elliptical path and completes its revolution. As Earth’s orbital velocity decreases it moves away from the Sun, as the Earth does. It travels at its slowest speed as it approaches the farthest point from the Sun, i.e. aphelion. Also Read | ISRO successfully launches XPoSat on first day of New Year 2024 It accelerates as it begins to move back towards the Sun. Earth then travels at maximum speed as it approaches the closest point to the Sun, or perihelion, almost defying the Sun’s gravitational pull. It is then eventually overpowered by the Sun’s force and falls back into its normal cycle. However, the process is never exactly repeated and that is why the date for the occurrence of Perihelion Day also keeps changing from year to year. When is Perihelion Day in 2024? Perihelion Day generally occurs in early January of every year, which is almost two weeks after the December Solstice. For 2024, our Earth will make its closest appearance to the Sun on Wednesday (Jan 3) at 1:00 UTC. Early January will see Earth approximately 3 per cent closer to the Sun than early July when Earth is at its aphelion. Thus, during the first part of January, when winter is in the northern hemisphere, Earth comes closest to the Sun annually. Also Read | Astronauts aboard ISS had chance to celebrate New Year’s Eve 16 times For your understanding, here is a quantification of the perihelion and aphelion of Earth in 2024. It will be 91,404,095 miles away from the Sun at perihelion and 94,510,539 miles away from the Sun at aphelion. So, Earth is about 4,800,000 km (3,000,000 miles) farther from the Sun in July than in January. Isn’t that fascinating? (With inputs from agencies)

Perihelion Day 2024: When Earth is closest to the Sun | All you need to know about astronomical event

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

Perihelion Day 2024: When Earth is closest to the Sun | All you need to know about astronomical event