Sunspot area AR3590 is one for the report books. We noticed it on the sun’s seen face from about February 18 till about March 1-2, when the sun’s rotation carried it out of view. It was massive, reaching a measurement of almost 9 Earths round February 26. It was the most important sunspot of Solar Cycle 25 thus far. We might see it from Earth with the right eye safety (eclipse glasses). Between February 21 and 22, it produced three X flares – the strongest class of flare – in lower than 24 hours. And a kind of the biggest X flare of Photo voltaic Cycle 25 thus far, an X6.4 flare! Plus, all through the time it was seen on the Earth-facing facet of the sun, it was the lead flare producer. Now AR3590 has departed to the sun’s bottom. However the Mars Perseverance rover’s Mastcam-Z is choosing it up on the far facet of the sun. Farewell, AR3590! Will you survive to indicate again up on the sun’s Earth-facing facet some 10 days or so from now?
Throughout the time AR3590 was seen, the good photographers in EarthSky’s group have been busy capturing its picture. Thanks to all who contributed to our group web page!
AR3590 first days on the sun
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Patricio León in Santiago, Chile, took this picture on February 21 and wrote: “Massive sunspot AR3590 has developed with progress of the primary darkish core and association of a number of minor components wanting like a trailing cometary tail.” Thanks, Patricio!
Getting greater
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Mario Rana from Hampton, Virginia, shared this picture on February 25. It’s a hydrogen-alpha picture of the sun. See that brilliant space on the high? That’s AR3590. Gorgeous! Thanks, Mario.View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Tom Jones from Rochester, New York, created this glorious composite picture. Thanks, Tom!
Farewell AR3590, we’ll miss you!
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Patricio León from Santiago, Chile, shared this picture on February 27 and wrote: “AR3590 is shortening because it strikes progressively away from us, an enormous darkish core separated from the primary physique at the vanguard.” Thanks, Patricio!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | David Hoskin in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, shared this picture on February 27, 2024. He wrote: “This hydrogen-alpha filtered picture exhibits big sunspot group AR3590 because it approaches the northwest limb of the sun.” Thanks! Are you aware why are east and west reversed on the sun?View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Patricio León from Santiago, shared this picture of AR3590 about to depart from the Earth-facing facet of the sun on March 1, 2024. Thanks, Patricio!
Backside line: Did you get to see epic AR3590? If not, right here’s the story of a sunspot that has made historical past!
Cristina Ortiz – based mostly in Granada, Spain – has been an EarthSky editor since 2021. “Since I used to be a child,” she says, “I might really feel that zeal for science and communication.” Cristina has a grasp’s diploma in translation and decoding, specializing in science and know-how. She has served as a translator, interpreter and proofreader in each science and know-how for numerous media organizations, together with Netflix, and for museums and different firms.
