An exceptionally large sunspot has appeared on our side ofthe sun. Sunspot 875 is already the size of the planetNeptune and is continuing to grow. It has a “beta gamma”magnetic field and as of April 26 harbors energy for X Class, orstrong, solar flares.
The spot has appeared during the solar minimum, and thepresence of such a large spot during a time of relativesolar inactivity suggests that scientistspredictingthat the next solar maximum, due in 2011 and 2012, will be avery intense one, are likely to be correct. They havetheorized that the next max was likely to start early, andbe preceeded by an unsettled minimum.
The current sunspot is very active and at present there is a5% chance that it will cause X-Class solarflares/
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