posted on Jun, 6 2004 @ 10:24 AM
There are frequently sunspots on the sun and they all have potential to develop into various classes of solar flares. Scientists classify solar
flares according to their x-ray brightness in the wavelength range 1 to 8 Angstroms. There are 3 categories: X-class flares are big; they are major
events that can trigger planet-wide radio blackouts and long-lasting radiation storms. M-class flares are medium-sized; they generally cause brief
radio blackouts that affect Earth's polar regions. Minor radiation storms sometimes follow an M-class flare. Compared to X- and M-class events,
C-class flares are small with few noticeable consequences here on Earth.
The current sunspot 621 is fading. When Venus crosses the Sun on June 8th, it might be the only dark spot on the Sun.
About aweek ago there were numerous sunspots visible.