Sunspots can be detected up to 48 hours before their appearance
Sunspots on the Sun resulting from the formation of strong magnetic fields can now be detected up to 48 hours before their appearance, according to U.S. researchers, whose study was published Thursday in Science.These spots are a danger to astronauts are in space because of strong magnetic disturbance it generates. They cause, however, power failures and interruptions in telecommunications services and navigation on Earth.New method to detect sunspots will improve forecasting capabilities in the field of "space meteorology," said Stathis Ilonidis from laboratory experimental physics from Stanford University in California, lead author of the study.U.S. scientists have used Doppler observations - a type of ultrasound - performed by solar and heliosphere Observatory, a satellite placed in orbit in a solar joint missions NASA - ESA (European Space Agency).They were able to detect sunspots in the sun before they reach the surface.
Astrophysicists have discovered that these magnetic fields are formed at nearly 65,000 km in the crust of the Sun and are much stronger than anticipated before.
Scientists have calculated that the magnetic fields from inside the sun rises to the surface at a speed ranging between 0.3 and 0.6 kilometers per second, forming sunspots within 48 hours after the phenomenon began.
Sun will undergo a long, unusual activity very low, according to findings of three studies that were disclosed in mid-June in the United States, which could affect the terrestrial climate.
American astronauts have seen a decrease in sunspots and a slowdown in activity near the poles, signs that in their opinion, indicates that the Sun is moving towards long period of inactivity.