Analysis of Flare Occurring Based on Sunspot Changing Patterns Using Zurich Method in February – April 2022 at the Astronomy Laboratory of Physics FMIPA State University of Malang

Abstract

The star closest to our Earth is the sun with an average distance of 149,680,000 km. The sun is plasma with a very high temperature. The most easily observed solar activity from Earth are sunspots and flares, where flares on the sun can affect the Earth’s atmosphere. Therefore with this, research was carried out in February - April 2022 at the Laboratory of Astronomy Physics, State University of Malang with a geographical location of 07° 57’ 39” South Latitude, 112° 37’ 9.2” East Longitude, and 7.9607° North Latitude at an altitude of 465 meters with using the Celestron telescope. This study aims to determine the pattern of changes in sunspots until the occurrence of flare, and to find out how to determine the occurrence of flare. This study used a descriptive approach based on the daily data that had been observed. In classifying sunspots, the Zurich method is used. The development of sunspots obtained in daily data shows changes in sunspot development patterns and data on the influence of flares that occur on the surface of the Earth such as satellite damage and auroras reported by NASA show that flare occur on the surface of the sun. Based on the analysis of sunspot classification, it shows that flares occur in classes C, D, E, and F. The occurrence of these flares can be seen in the news released by NOAA. It can be concluded that flares do not always occur in large class sunspot classifications. However, the small class was able to produce a flare.