Saudi Arabia: Massive sunspots spotted over Arar, astronomers explain their effects

On Tuesday evening, several of the year’s largest sunspots were spotted in the skies above Arar , drawing attention from astronomers to their size, visibility, and potential effects on Earth .

Details of the sunspot activity
Members of the Space and Astronomy Club confirmed that the sunspots visible this week included spots 4195, 4197, and 4199, each among the most significant recorded in 2025. According to club member Adnan Khalifah , these are temporary dark regions on the Sun’s surface formed by magnetic activity. Though they appear darker, they still emit light and remain highly radiant.

Each sunspot observed measures tens of thousands of kilometers in diameter, with several exceeding the size of Earth multiple times over. They were visible through small telescopes equipped with safe solar filters, allowing both professional and amateur astronomers to track the phenomenon.

Experts explained that sunspot activity is linked to solar flares and geomagnetic storms , which can interfere with satellite navigation systems and global communications. Monitoring these changes is critical to understanding the Sun’s 11-year solar cycle, which influences the frequency and intensity of such disturbances.

Astronomers further emphasized that public observation and amateur contributions are essential, as they not only add to monitoring efforts but also encourage broader scientific awareness and interest in space research.