On March 9, astronomers witnessed a spectacular event as a massive loop of plasma exploded from the far side of the sun. This eruption, estimated to be around 40 times wider than Earth, released a powerful coronal mass ejection (CME) that ultimately collided with the planet Mercury.
When CMEs hit Mercury’s unprotected surface, they can cause X-ray auroras, a fascinating phenomenon that is visible in X-rays. Scientists believe that this recent eruption may signal the beginning of the sun’s solar maximum earlier than initially anticipated.
During solar maximum, which is a period of increased solar activity, solar storms are expected to become more frequent and powerful. One of the main concerns during this time is the unpredictability of giant sunspots that may appear on the far side of the sun.
To better monitor these potentially dangerous events, NASA utilizes tools like the Perseverance rover on Mars to observe the sun’s far side and improve predictions of solar storms. Recently, there have been other notable solar events, such as a monster X-class flare and a massive plume of plasma that was 15 times taller than Earth.
As we continue to study the sun and its behavior, researchers hope to gain a better understanding of these phenomena and improve our ability to forecast and prepare for the potential impacts of solar storms. Stay tuned for more updates on this fascinating topic.
