By Kim Susan Se-jeong
NASA announced on May 9 that it has discovered a “monster sunspot “11 times the diameter of the Earth, which could cause a potentially dangerous solar flare.
There have only been small-scale explosions so far, but according to experts, the critical point will be next May when the sun’s surface enters a period of increased activity. Experts say that the strongest solar flares are approximately 1 trillion times stronger than the Hiroshima atomic bomb.
A solar flare and colossal coronal mass ejection (CME), which usually follows, releases large amounts of energy just above the sun’s surface. This can damage satellites orbiting the Earth, disrupt GPS systems, and affect power grids, according to experts.
Some academics, including NASA’s Richard Fisher, identifies the two main reasons they believe a massive solar flare may occur next year.
The sun cycles through periods of high and low activity over 11 years. Next year is a peak of solar activity, usually characterized by multiple solar flares. It is also the year the sun reverses its magnetic field polarity, which could mean a massive explosion when combined with high solar activity.
“Particles released after a solar flare usually enter at high latitudes, so countries at mid-latitude, like Korea, should be relatively safe,” said Gwak Yeong-sil, head of research center the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute.
But Gwak added, “We’ll be able to minimize damage if we can calculate the exact time and scale of the flare.”
The Korea Meteorological Administration has been reporting space weather, which provides information on solar activity, since April.