More 'plagiarized' content about the sun.

While we are awaiting the impact of the torturously slow conglomeration of the rapid-fire C-class and M-class solar flares from the 23rd and 24th, a new sunspot has emerged west of the crackling culprit AR 2824. New sunspot AR 2826 is a peculiar little brat. It's magnetic polarity is oriented 90 degrees from it's older sister. Sunpot polarity is usually oriented in an east-west fashion. This one is oriented north-south, a telling sign of things to come as we continue to watch our own magnetic poles migrate away from their customary positions. Are we going to end up with our own polarity oriented east-west as well?

[link to spaceweather.com (secure)]

The above image illustrates the difference in polarity. It emerged with it's own meanness. As soon as it broke through it began rapid-firing it's own set of mini-flares just like it's older sister, but in much quicker succession. It looks more like a vortex of fire rather than a sunspot.

[link to sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov]

It is difficult to determine at this point if it is ejecting any mass with these mini-flares but if it is, it is aimed away from us so we will be spared. X-ray emissions are already being received however.

[link to dpa-images.s3.amazonaws.com (secure)]

Prepare for the possibility of radio and other communication interruptions. Keep an eye on this vortex of fire. It looks pretty unpredictable.