A massive loop of plasma erupted from the sun’s far side on March 9, catching the attention of scientists and skywatchers alike. The eruption, which was approximately 40 times wider than Earth, hurled a massive cloud of plasma into space. This plasma cloud later collided with Mercury, potentially triggering “X-ray auroras” on the planet.
The eruption, likely triggered by a powerful solar flare on March 9, spanned an impressive 310,000 miles according to data from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). Furthermore, the eruption released a large coronal mass ejection (CME) that collided with Mercury on March 10. Due to its proximity to the sun and lack of atmosphere, Mercury is often affected by CMEs, causing electrons to hit its surface and release energy in the form of X-rays.
This recent eruption is seen as a sign that the solar maximum may have begun earlier than expected, with scientists observing significant solar storms in recent weeks, indicating the peak of the sun’s solar cycle. There are concerns about the need to monitor the far side of the sun for potential sunspots that could lead to flares and CMEs impacting Earth.
NASA’s Perseverance rover on Mars plays a crucial role in observing the sun’s far side to aid in monitoring solar activity. With the possibility of surprise solar storms hitting Earth during this solar maximum, scientists are working diligently to stay vigilant and prepared for any potential impacts.
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