Solar group spot No. 4478 has become the largest among all active…
Solar group spot No. 4478 has become the largest among all active regions observed on the Sun in 2026. This was reported in the Telegram channel of the Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the Institute of Cosmic Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Consensus
- Group 4478 is the largest sunspot group observed on the Sun in 2026.
- The group has a size of approximately 1190–1200 units.
- The group is moving toward the Earth-facing side of the Sun.
- Currently, there is no significant solar activity or large eruptions from the group.
- Occasional weak plasma ejections are observed from the group.
- One plasma cloud is expected to reach Earth on 30 June, another on 1 July.
- A solar flare of class M2.6 was recorded on 21 June at 05:25 MSK, with a peak at 05:46 MSK.
Points of divergence
- The area of group 4478 is approximately 1200 units. — vedomosti
- The area of group 4478 is 1190 units. — m24
- Group 4478 has a size of 825 millionths of a hemisphere. — vm
- The previous largest group, 4366, reached 1100 units at its peak. — vedomosti
- The previous largest group, 4366 (noted as 4366), reached 1100 units. — m24
- Group 4478 is second largest since the beginning of 2026, behind group 4366. — vm
- A 'black explosion' occurred on 3 June, involving the disruption of a neutral hydrogen cloud during a powerful flare. — vedomosti
- Solar activity is expected to drop to zero after energy from group 4465 is exhausted. — m24
- Group 4478 will be facing Earth on 1 July. — vm
- The group is 'boiling, bubbling, accumulating energy' but shows no tendency toward major explosions. — vedomosti
- The group is accumulating energy but no major explosions are observed. — m24
- The group may either significantly increase activity or completely disintegrate in the coming time. — vm
Coverage (3 sources)
- Largest group of sunspots in 2026 has formed on the Sun — Ведомости
- The largest group of sunspots in 2026 formed on the Sun — Москва 24
- IKI RAS: Largest Group of Solar Flares in Months Emerges Toward Earth — Вечерняя Москва