A new dark cluster formed on the sun’s surface during early July and has grown to be nearly as wide as the solar system’s largest planet, Jupiter.

Dubbed sunspot 1024, it is the first big sunspot of the new Solar Cycle 24 and ends the longest absence of such features since 1913.

Last month, NASA researchers said they discovered that lagging jet streams deep inside the sun were responsible for the prolonged solar pause.

Sunspots are cool areas that form on the sun’s surface where magnetic energy accumulates.

They cap upwelling material from inside the storm. If that cap suddenly weakens, it can allow a solar flare and pulse of charged particles to shoot into space, sometimes toward Earth.

These solar storms cause brilliant displays of the northern and southern lights, and can disrupt satellite and high-frequency radio communications.

The strongest of such storms can knock out electronics and cause power blackouts on Earth.

Solar Loop: SOHO/MDI