Carrington-class sunspot now staring directly at Earth
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"A vast, complex sunspot comparable in scale to the region that powered the historic Carrington storm is now rotating across the center of the solar disk, squarely aligned with Earth. Its position means that any major eruption from this active region in the coming days would have a direct path toward our planet, raising the stakes for satellites, power grids, and communications systems that are already under strain from an energetic solar cycle."...
The Carrington Event of 1859 was triggered by a massive sunspot group observed by astronomer Richard Carrington, which unleashed the most powerful solar storm in recorded history .Historical Sun spot Carrington sketched a vast cluster of sunspots on September 1, 1859, covering about 9-14% of the sun's visible disk, or roughly 2300-3100 millionths of the solar hemisphere . This "monster" sunspot produced a brilliant solar flare lasting five minutes, followed by a coronal mass ejection (CME) that hit Earth within 48 hours .Recent Comparisons A giant sunspot complex, AR 4294-4296, emerged in late November 2025, spanning about 90% the size of Carrington's group and facing Earth by early December �. Though capable of X-class flares, its magnetic configuration shows no immediate signs of a Carrington-scale outburst . Similar large sunspots, like AR3664 in 2024, have drawn comparisons but remained relatively quiet
On December 10, 2025, there will be 285 active sunspot regions reported, indicating significant solar activity. This date is associated with the Geminid meteor shower, which is expected to peak this month, often being one of the strongest displays of meteors. Sunspots are regions on the Sun's surface caused by intense magnetic activity, and their presence can lead to solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which can affect space weather and potentially disrupt satellite communications and power systems. Podpage +1
For more detailed updates, you can check resources like the NOAA SWPC or Wido's AstroForum for real-time solar activity tracking. SpaceWeatherLive.com +1
Current solar activity remains elevated during Solar Cycle 25's maximum, with multiple active regions producing M-class flares, including an M1.9 on December 10, 2025 . Sunspot number stands at 134, featuring large regions like 4294 (25 sunspots, EKC class) and 4305 (25 sunspots, CAI class) .Active Regions Region 4294-4296 complex rivals historical giants like the Carrington sunspot, spanning nearly the Sun's width and capable of X-flares, though recent output has been M-level . Last X-flare was X1.1 on December 8; no R1-R3 radio blackouts reported today ��.Official Alerts NOAA SWPC reports no active Watches, Warnings, or Alerts as of December 10, with 24-hour maximums showing no significant R, S, or G events . A weak CME impact on December 9 caused only minor G1 storms possible today; electron flux alert from December 8 continues for high-energy particles . Forecasts predict G1 minor storms lingering .
Current solar activity remains elevated during Solar Cycle 25's maximum, with multiple active regions producing M-class flares, including an M1.9 on December 10, 2025 . Sunspot number stands at 134, featuring large regions like 4294 (25 sunspots, EKC class) and 4305 (25 sunspots, CAI class) .Active Regions Region 4294-4296 complex rivals historical giants like the Carrington sunspot, spanning nearly the Sun's width and capable of X-flares, though recent output has been M-level . Last X-flare was X1.1 on December 8; no R1-R3 radio blackouts reported today.Official Alerts NOAA SWPC reports no active Watches, Warnings, or Alerts as of December 10, with 24-hour maximums showing no significant R, S, or G events . A weak CME impact on December 9 caused only minor G1 storms possible today; electron flux alert from December 8 continues for high-energy particles . Forecasts predict G1 minor storms lingering .
Uncle Bob's would like to apologize to the following people or groups of people who we undoubtedly have offended over the course of the past few years. If you feel you have been personally offended then take this apology to be specifically for you. Otherwise, we apologize to Jewish Mexicans, President Barack Hussein Obama Mmm Mmm Mmm a.k.a. Hopey McChangey, Catholic Priests who dork little boys, vegetarians, Fruit Loop, Atkins' Diet adherents and other fat-asses, Dennis J. Olson, Delta Lady, Joe and his Socks, paranoid persona's, space aliens, Illegal Aliens, Boy Scouts, same sex aficionados, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Canadians, ditch diggers, people who support the aforementioned, people on Prozac, Mel Gibson, Nazi Mods, Tiger Woods, motorcycle gang members, rag heads or towel heads or any other Middle Eastern personas or personae, Crotch Bombers, Britney Spears, the blind, the entire Gay and Lesbian community, Charlie Sheen, Black Panthers, NAACP, and anybody who has ever been called Lard Ass.
