There is something in the Sun! Scientists have detected a large black point that is crossing this star and that gives anyone the opportunity to see it. It is a phenomenon that can be enjoyed even without using a telescope, although it is convenient that you take into account a series of precautions that we will discuss below.
It is not every day that you look at the Sun and find that there is something that is not normally there. And while it could have been detected instantly, this giant dot on the Sun has gone a bit under the radar because specialists are pointing their telescopes elsewhere. Fortunately, it is still possible to see it.
the sun has visitors
It’s not like the Sun, already over 4.6 billion years old, is in its teens and suffering from acne. That large point that has appeared, black at its core and a more orange tone around it, is a sunspot that has aligned with the Sun just at this moment. It is not the first sunspot detected, but it is one of the most surprising due to its size: four times that of our planet. You can get an idea of its magnitude with the photo that we include below and that NASA has distributed.
Due to its dimensions, it has had a strong impact on the community of astronomers, but above all it has generated a great effect among amateur astronomers. After all, it is not often that you can see these phenomena without professional equipment. Keep reading and we will tell you how you can see it without exposing yourself to suffering any type of damage or risk.
astronomers warn
Information about this phenomenon has come from the South Korean specialist Bum-Suk Yeom, an astronomer who places special emphasis on not needing a telescope, but on having an accessory that allows you to protect your eyesight. To do this, what he recommends is that you use one of two things: solar filters on your glasses or solar eclipse glasses.
Other experts also say that you could look at the Sun to see the giant point without using such specific glasses, but with sunglasses that really have a high level of protection and are approved. There are some specialists who have acknowledged having looked directly at the Sun without any type of glasses, but only because a series of forest fires were taking place near them. The smoke from these was what helped create a protective layer in the air that protected their eyesight when they looked at the Sun without wearing safety glasses.
If you are not sure if you have the necessary equipment, it is best to avoid looking directly at the Sun without protection. The effect of ultraviolet light from the Sun on your retina could cause irreparable damage, as well as other problems on a smaller or larger scale. Therefore, it is recommended that you do not look without using adequate protection.
However, if you like the idea of looking at the Sun and admiring what can be seen at all times, it might not be a bad idea to get some specialized equipment. There are brands that manufacture eclipse glasses that have a very good reputation and that have all the permits for the commercialization of this equipment, such as Celestron, Rainbow Symphony or Solares. They are not extremely expensive glasses, so it could be an interesting investment to have them every time some kind of interesting phenomenon occurs.
The good news is that, as the experts are warning, the Sun is getting ready to have even more activity and receive a greater number of sunspots. It is believed that the next ones could become even larger. Although, beyond the possibilities of observation, perhaps it should not be celebrated so much, since the point we are talking about is believed to be able to generate a powerful flare while it is pointing towards Earth. The consequences of it would include not only exposing our planet to long-lasting radiation storms, but radio blackouts that could render planes unable to fly. For this reason, specialists have their eyes on the Sun in order to control what may happen with these sunspots.
