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Blogs > loveisamyth > loveisamyth, stars are forever


loveisamyth 68M
849 posts
5/5/2016 4:14 am

Last Read:
5/10/2016 12:04 pm
RETURN OF THE HEART-SHAPED SUNSPOT
Last month, heart-shaped sunspot AR2529 unleashed the strongest solar flare of 2016 (category M6.7). Guess what? It's back. The active region is emerging over the sun's eastern limb following a two-week trip around the farside of the sun.



Back in April, observers marveled at the romantic shape of AR2529. Since then, it has decayed. The sunspot no longer resembles a heart, and its weakened magnetic field poses a waning threat for explosions. NOAA forecasters estimate a scant 5% chance of M-class flares on May 5th.

According to tradition, sunspots that circle around the farside of the sun are re-numbered when they return. The new designation of AR2529 is AR2542, and that is how we will refer to it from now on. Backyard solar telescope owners are encouraged to monitor AR2542 as it (re-)turns toward Earth.

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