This image shows two large sunspot groups on the surface of the Sun. It was produced by the MDI (Michelson Doppler Imager) instrument on the SOHO (Solar & Heliospheric Observatory) spacecraft at 14:24 UT on 24 October 2003. The sunspot groups are "named" group 484 (near center) and group 486 (near left limb). Click on image for full size (42K JPEG) Image courtesy NASA/SOHO.

Two gigantic sunspot groups have recently appeared on the Sun and are generating tremendous space weather storms. The sunspot groups (known as group 484 and group 486) are about as large as the planet Jupiter. It is very unusual for two sunspot groups this large to appear on the Sun at the same time. Sunspots, which are the visible manifestations of regions where strong magnetic fields reach the surface of the Sun, are often indicators of high levels of solar activity. These two large groups have generated powerful solar flares and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs).

A CME generated by group 484 reached Earth on Friday, 24 October 2003, bombarding our planet with radiation and energetic protons and electrons. Such "space weather storms" produce spectacular displays of aurora and can damage satellites, disrupt electrical power distribution grids, and interfere with radio communications. These two large sunspot groups may continue to hurl such storms towards Earth for the next couple of weeks.

This picture shows the two large sunspot groups. The picture was taken by a spacecraft called SOHO, which watches out for space weather storms. Click on image for full size (42K JPEG) Image courtesy NASA/SOHO.

Two very large groups of sunspots have appeared on the Sun. Each of the groups is about as big as the planet Jupiter, which is the largest planet in our Solar System! Sunspots are places on the Sun where the Sun's magnetic field is all tangled up. These tangled magnetic fields create storms called solar flares and CMEs. Some storms from these two big sunspot groups reached Earth on Friday, 24 October 2003.

When a space weather storm like this reaches Earth, the radiation from the storm can cause problems. The storm can damage satellites and might even make the electricity go out. Don't worry, though - Earth's magnetic field does a pretty good job of protecting us from the radiation. The storms also have a good side - they create the Northern Lights!

Can you see the spots on the Sun in this picture? Click on image for full size (42K JPEG) Image courtesy NASA/SOHO.

Did you know that the Sun has spots? Right now it has some very big spots. There are two groups of sunspots on the Sun right now. Each group is about as big as the planet Jupiter, which is the largest planet in our Solar System!

When the Sun has spots, it usually means there will be storms in space. Big explosions on the Sun near the sunspots make those storms. Some of that "space weather" comes to Earth. That is what is happening right now. When a space weather storm comes to Earth, it can cause problems. It can mess up satellites, and it might even make the electricity go out for a while! But a space weather storm can do nice things too. The Northern Lights, which are very pretty, are caused by space weather storms.