Massive, hidden sunspot blasts out enormous X-class flare — and Earth could soon be in the firing line

One of the most powerful solar flares the sun is capable of producing recently exploded on the far side of the sun. The sunspot responsible for belching it out could soon be found on our planet.

NASA and the European Space Agency worked together to detect the eruption. According to Spaceweather.com, the sun's southern limb was the location of a bright stream of plasma.

The C-class event is the third highest class of solar flares. Each class of solar flare is at least 10 times more powerful than the last one. Based on the size and strength of the visible CME, experts think the hidden eruption was large enough to be an X-class flare.

NASA says that the most powerful X-class flares can cause an equivalent of a billion hydrogen bombs to explode. If one of these flares hits Earth head on, it could cause widespread radio and electricity blackouts on the side of the planet facing the sun and cause damage to satellites in the sky. According to NASA, the resultingAuroras would be so strong they could give nearby airplane passengers small doses of radiation.

According to Spaceweather.com, scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration modeled the solar storm given off by the most recent X class flare and found that it would narrowly miss Earth over the next few days. We will not stay in the clear for a long time.

We were blown away by 10 solar storms.

The sunspot, which is dark, planet-sized regions that form in the sun's lower atmosphere, is believed to be the cause of the huge flare that erupted on the sun. According to Spaceweather.com, experts think the sunspot has grown much larger since it disappeared from view.

When the recent flare erupted, it was predicted that it would come back onto the sun within two days. According to Spaceweather.com, the closest edge of AR3163 appeared on the solar horizon on January 5th. The chances of a direct hit are low since it will be pointed directly at Earth.

Our planet is at its closest point to the sun right now. As the planet moved into its closest possible proximity to the sun, another M-class flare slammed into Earth, which was capable of causing minor radio black outs.

The peak of the sun's 11-year solar cycle will be in 2025. According to Spaceweather.com, there were 24 active sunspots in December of 2022.