1bn megaton solar storm 'to hit Earth'

 Add your view

A major solar storm with the force of a billion megaton bombs could be set to hit the Earth, scientists warned yesterday.

The storm is expected to be unleashed from a group of sunspots 20 times the size of Earth, with experts believing it is aimed at our planet.

The area of spots - called Number 652 - could release a storm powerful enough to damage satellites and put power grids out of action.

The Sun's last bout of intense storms occurred last autumn, when a string of ten major flares over two weeks knocked out satellites, damaged others, and forced airlines to turn away from exposed polar routes.

'The implications of this spot have scientists on the edge of their seats,' Nasa said in a statement. Sunspots are areas of intense magnetic energy, cooler and darker than the surrounding surface of the thermonuclear furnace.

Sometimes the magnetic fields let loose and huge amounts of radiation and charged particles are hurled into space.

The sunspot is clearly visible from Earth without a telescope.

But scientists warned people not to look at the Sun without a proper, safe filter or other viewing technique as otherwise they could face permanent eye damage.

 

What's on today   What's on tomorrow

Receive our newsletter