A newly-formed sunspot, known as region 4136, is lighting up the sky with an electrifying display as it rotates toward Earth.

Captured in stunning detail by French astrophotographer Philippe Tosi, this sunspot has been crackling with a flurry of magnetic explosions termed Ellerman bombs. These mesmerizing bursts were photographed on July 10 from Nîmes, France, using an H-alpha filter that highlights the sun's intricate activity. The image showcases these bombs erupting like fireworks near the sunspot, which has already unleashed multiple M-class solar flares—mid-level eruptions that can have significant effects on Earth.

Tosi shared his experiences with Space.com, stating, "This is not the first time I've observed Ellerman's bombs. The conditions were difficult due to the extreme heat in southern France—around 38°C [100°F]."

First identified in the early 1900s by physicist Ferdinand Ellerman, Ellerman bombs occur in the lower atmosphere of the sun, driven by magnetic reconnection—a dynamic process where opposite magnetic fields clash and rearrange explosively. Remarkably, each explosion releases energy equivalent to 100,000 World War II atomic bombs, even though it's just one-millionth of the energy produced by a large solar flare. These mini-explosions indicate the magnetic complexity within the sunspot, as the collision of magnetic polarities results in spectacular flashes of energy.

With sunspot 4136 now facing Earth, there’s cause for excitement—and caution. This magnetic complexity could lead to even bigger solar events ahead. M-class flares could lead to brief radio blackouts and minor disruptions to satellites if directed toward our planet.

As this sunspot continues its rotation towards us, scientists and amateur astronomers are on high alert for potential space weather surprises in the coming days. Keep your eyes on the skies!