The Sun released a plasma from the dead sunspot following a solar storm that reportedly caused the mass emission of solar material headed towards the direction of Earth.
As a result, a geomagnetic storm is expected to impact the planet.
The 'Corpse' of a Sunspot
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) issued a three-day forecast from Wednesday to Friday, April 13 to April 15, highlighting that there is a chance that a geomagnetic storm will hit Earth on Thursday, April 14.
The magnetic storm's impact on Thursday may continue until Friday, said the space weather forecast.
The storm was initially triggered by the explosion of the "corpse" of a sunspot.
It is also referred to as AR2987, as per SpaceWeather.com.
The sunspot explosion released a discharge of massive solar debris manifested by a highly ionized gas, resulting in the release of a geomagnetic storm.
Also Read: Astrologists Dicovers a Sunspot With Twice the Size of Earth
What are Sunspots?
Sunspots are circular-shaped dark spots on the surface of the Sun in the region called the photosphere; characterized by extreme temperatures that can reach up to 5,800 degrees Kelvin, according to the website Space.com.
Although they appear dark compared to the other parts of the photosphere, sunspots have temperatures of approximately 3,800 degrees Kelvin.
They can only be seen through telescopes and can reach up to 50,000 kilometers (31,000 miles) in diameter, says the space weather and astronomy news website.
Sunspots reportedly occur over intense magnetic activity in the Sun, as our solar system's only star does not only consist of hot gases but is also a site of one ongoing magnetic disturbance which can cause other solar storms, including solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CME).
Geomagnetic Storm
Sunspots can also cause solar flares or CMEs, generating a geomagnetic storm consisting of highly-energized particles that disrupt the Earth's magnetic field or magnetosphere.
For decades, magnetic storms are known for causing technical malfunction in our satellite technology and radio signals.
For the approaching geomagnetic storm, the NOAA - SWPC classified that it may hit as a G1 or G2-class (minor to moderate) category out of the five levels used to determine the intensity of these storms.
In general, these solar storms can cause widespread power outages due to damaged power grids.
They can also affect aircraft, including commercial planes, that rely on global positioning systems (GPS) and satellite signals to navigate their course and communicate their position.
Other electronic devices and equipment, including mobile phones and computers that rely on internet and satellite communications may also experience a loss of signal cover, especially in remote areas.
The Carrington Event
The most intense geomagnetic storm that struck the Earth occurred in 1859 known, which came to be known as the Carrington Event.
The name was coined after British astronomer Richard Carrington, who observed a large sunspot region using only his brass telescope during that time.
The phenomenon was extremely massive that it was dubbed the "mother of all solar storms" and the "most intense space weather event" in recorded history, as per the South African National Space Agency (SANSA).
Related Article: Sunspot Blast to Hit Earth, Confirmed by Geomagnetic Storm Watch