An unusually large group of sunspots has formed on the far side of the Sun. It is currently being observed by the Solar Orbiter spacecraft, as this region is still hidden from Earth by the edge of the solar disk. This was reported by the Laboratory of Solar Astronomy of IKI RAS and ISZF SB RAS.
The laboratory described the group of spots as a region of "absolutely incredible size." According to specialists, in about a week, it should appear on the left edge of the Sun, visible from Earth. It will take another week for the active zone, if it persists, to move into the most dangerous position – opposite our planet.
Scientists compare the new region to active region 3664, which was observed in May 2024. At that time, a series of powerful solar flares and subsequent impacts on Earth caused the strongest magnetic storm in the last 20 years.
The scale of the spots themselves is a cause for concern. The larger the active region, the more energy can be accumulated in the Sun's magnetic field. Solar flares are powered by this field, so the strongest events in history usually occurred in regions of record size.
However, there are no strict forecasts yet. The laboratory emphasizes that within two weeks, the group of spots can change significantly, weaken, or even disappear. Currently, it looks like a region that is just gaining energy, but there are no signs of strong explosions on the far side of the Sun yet.
If large flares do begin before the region emerges on the visible side, they can be detected from Earth by plasma clouds flying out from behind the edge of the solar disk. So far, specialists have not recorded such signs.
