Sunspots are locations where the Sun’s magnetic field lines snap and reconnect, often resulting in a solar flare and coronal mass ejection of solar particles. Last month when an X-class flare was ejected, it resulted in communications disruptions on Earth as well as gorgeous auroras and that spot is back.
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00:00Sunspots may be temporarily cooler areas of the Sun, but that doesn't mean they're quiet.
00:09Sunspots are locations where the Sun's magnetic field lines snap and reconnect, often resulting
00:13in a solar flare and coronal mass ejection of solar particles.
00:17This particular sunspot was aimed directly at Earth last month when an X-class flare
00:21was ejected.
00:22It resulted in some communications disruptions on Earth, but also gorgeous auroras.
00:27Now NASA says the same spot has come around again, and every day it's letting out more
00:32flares, albeit weaker ones.
00:33Since the area has been viewable again, it has released two M-class flares.
00:37While we might be in the target area for those flares, M-class flares are 10 times weaker
00:42than their X-class counterparts.
00:44The Sun also released 10 C-class flares, which are another 10 times weaker than the M-class
00:49variety.
00:50So what does that mean for Earthlings?
00:51Well, simply put, don't expect another light show.
00:54Still, the experts at Space Weather Live say, based on its current activity, there's a relatively
00:58high probability we might get another X-class flare from this sunspot before the Sun turns
01:03away.
01:04With solar physicists saying, there's a 30% chance an X-class flare will erupt while pointed
01:09directly at Earth.