sunspot 2818

[abc]

Sunspot 2818 has grown in size very rapidly. Can we determine which class does it belong to? Also, why isn't it producing strong flare? It seems that it is more stable than it is.

[Vancanneyt Sander]

Just south of 2818 a new sunspot region emerged and is now designated as AR12820, magnetically it's still a beta region but almost a beta-gamma, it's responsible for two minor B-class flares on the moment of writing.

[Vancanneyt Sander]

Update on 2820, it looks like it developed a small delta spot in the center trailing spots of the region so it looks more like a beta-delta region now. It’s still nothing major but it does get magnetically more interesting 😊

[Bedreamon]

'Beta-Delta' classification sounds kinda concerning, at least based on name. What class of flares and geomagnetic storms could that produce?

[abc]

I thought delta spots can spark potential x or m flares

[abc]

Also, how is its strength when compared to 2817 and 2816? I thought 2820 is much more active but it turns out that it is quite stable. So far it only produced 1 c class flare

[abc]

Not really I already read it but thanks for your reply

[Isatsuki San]

35 minutes ago, abc said:

Also, how is its strength when compared to 2817 and 2816? I thought 2820 is much more active but it turns out that it is quite stable. So far it only produced 1 c class flare

2820 did not produce a solar flare c yet, the one who produced that Solar Flare C was 2816, the 2820 is throw Solar Flares B, so it can be said that if it is stable

 

Edited April 25, 2021 by Isatsuki San

[Vancanneyt Sander]

It was a short lived delta that’s now disappeared, back to a simple beta region. This also explains why it became calm. Meanwhile a new region emerged just to the right of 2820

@Bedreamon: our article about the magnetic classification will help you learn about it. You’ll learn the differences by observing different spots with their classification so you’ll learn what sunspots are capable and which aren’t 

[abc]

So is 2820 more active than 2816 or 2817 at least based on its structure ?

[Vancanneyt Sander]

The odds for solar flares are the highest for 2820, the other regions aren’t worth speaking of.

[abc]

I mean when compared to few days ago when 2816 and 2817 sparked numerous c flares

[Vancanneyt Sander]

Then it’s less complex 😝

[abc]

9 hours ago, Vancanneyt Sander said:

Meanwhile a new region emerged just to the right of 2820

i believe it is a beta one, right?

[Vancanneyt Sander]

Zojuist, abc zei:

i believe it is a beta one, right?

Yes, because you can draw a line between the two polarities it make zit a beta region. 

[abc]

but then i dont think i cam draw a line between the two polarities for sunspot2820

[Vancanneyt Sander]

It’s easy 🤷‍♂️ look at the magnetogram to determine the polarity of the spots, then look at the visual image of the spots and draw the line. Here the spots of opposite polarity are way apart so it’s easy to draw the line so it’s a beta region 

[abc]

Thanks a lot. I had a much greater understanding now

[Tristan]

Do sunspot regions ever collide, and what happens if they do? Would it result in magnetic reconfiguration and a solar flare? Looks like 2820 and 2821 are getting pretty close to each other now.

[abc]

Will they collide to become a delta spot, since the positive polarity of 2820 is quite close to the negative polarity of 2821?

[Tristan]

1 hour ago, abc said:

Will they collide to become a delta spot, since the positive polarity of 2820 is quite close to the negative polarity of 2821?

I don't think it is likely that they will. Looks like 2821 is a little too far south for a direct collision. Maybe if it entered a rapid growth phase it might happen. It would be very cool if it did. I'm wondering if they brush past each other, would they merge and form a new more magnetically complex region. It would only be a beta-gamma, but might be enough for an increase in flaring, if it were to occur.

Edited April 26, 2021 by Tristan

[abc]

Could they make delta spots?

 

[Tristan]

It could do, but it would probably need the emergence of substantial new flux. The positive polarity spots that have recently emerged in the north of the trailer of 2820 might be a precursor to that, and are probably helping the increased flaring in the last few hours (now a C1 flare.) It should also be noted that the size of the spots as well as their magnetic configuration contributes to the flaring/CME potential. These spots are still fairly small and magnetically simple compared to what we should see as we approach the solar maximum in the middle of this decade. 

[Vancanneyt Sander]

8 uren geleden, Tristan zei:

Do sunspot regions ever collide

They don’t collide. Spots of the opposite polarity don’t attract but rather pushes them away like with a magnet.

 

2 uren geleden, abc zei:

Could they make delta spots?

Delta spots are spots of the opposite polarity within the penumbral area of a spot. So if a spot of positive polarity has a nice penumbral area where a spot of opposite polarity grows is a delta spot. Currently the region doesn’t  have what it takes but if enough flux emerges it could grow one

[abc]

But I think I can see spots of opposite polarity that are quite close together