Space & Cosmos

The sun reaches its maximum in the 11-year solar cycle

Images from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory highlight what the Sun looks like during solar minimum (left, December 2019) and solar maximum (right, May 2024). These images are at 171 wavelengths of extreme ultraviolet light and reveal active regions of the Sun that are commonly seen during solar maxima. Credit: NASA/SDO

Representatives from NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the International Solar Cycle Prediction Panel announced in a conference call with reporters on Tuesday that the sun has reached solar maximum, which could continue into next year. .

The solar cycle is the natural period in which the sun transitions between low and high magnetic activity. Approximately every 11 years, at the height of the solar cycle, the sun’s magnetic poles reverse. On Earth, it’s like the North and South poles swapping places every 10 years. And the sun moves from a calm state to an active and stormy state. .

NASA and NOAA track sunspots to determine and predict the progress of the solar cycle and, ultimately, solar activity. Sunspots are cold areas on the Sun caused by concentration of magnetic field lines. Sunspots are visible components of active regions, regions of strong and complex magnetic fields on the Sun that cause solar eruptions.

NASA, NOAA: Sun reaches maximum in 11-year solar cycle

Visible-light images from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory highlight the appearance of the Sun during solar minimum (left, December 2019) and solar maximum (right, May 2024). During solar minimum, the sun is often clean. Sunspots are associated with solar activity and are used to track the progress of the solar cycle. Credit: NASA/SDO

“During solar maximum, the number of sunspots increases, and therefore the amount of solar activity increases,” said Jamie Favors, space weather program director at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “This increase in activity provides an exciting opportunity to learn about our closest star, but it also causes real impacts on Earth and the entire solar system.”

Solar activity has a major influence on the conditions of the universe, known as space weather. This could affect not only satellites and astronauts in space, but also communications and navigation systems such as radio and GPS, as well as power grids on Earth. When the Sun is at its most active, space weather events occur more frequently. In recent months, solar activity has increased the visibility of the aurora borealis, impacting satellites and infrastructure.

The solar cycle is the sun’s natural cycle of transitions between low and high activity. During the most active part of the cycle, known as the solar maximum, the sun can produce a huge explosion of light, energy, and solar radiation, all of which causes conditions known as space weather. Space weather can affect not only satellites and astronauts in space, but also communication systems such as radio and GPS, and the power grid on Earth. Credit: Beth Anthony/NASA

In May 2024, a barrage of massive solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) shot clouds of charged particles and magnetic fields toward Earth, creating the strongest magnetic storm on Earth in 20 years. . This is probably one of the most powerful auroras on record. Past 500 years.

“This announcement does not mean that this is the peak solar activity seen this solar cycle,” said Elsayed Talaat, NOAA’s director of space weather operations. “The sun has reached its solar maximum, but the month of peak solar activity will not be identified for months or years.”

Scientists won’t be able to pinpoint the exact peak of this solar maximum for many months. Because it can only be identified after tracking a consistent decline in solar activity after its peak. However, scientists determined that the Sun’s last two years were part of this active phase of the solar cycle, as the number of sunspots was consistently high during this period.

From May 3 to May 9, 2024, NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory observed 82 notable solar flares. The flares mainly came from two active regions of the Sun called AR 13663 and AR 13664. This video highlights all flares classified as M5 or higher, with nine classified as X-class solar flares. Credit: NASA

Scientists expect the Sun to enter its waning phase and remain at its maximum for about another year before returning to its minimum. Since 1989, the Solar Cycle Prediction Panel, an international panel of experts sponsored by NASA and NOAA, has worked together to make predictions for the next solar cycle.

Solar cycles have been tracked by astronomers since Galileo first observed sunspots in the 1600s. Each solar cycle is different, with some periods having a long peak and short periods, and others having a small peak and lasting for a long time.

“Solar cycle 25 sunspot activity is slightly higher than expected,” said Lisa Upton, co-chair of the Solar Cycle Prediction Panel and chief scientist at the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas. “But even though we have seen some large storms, they are no larger than what would be expected during the maximum phase of the cycle.”

The most powerful flare of the solar cycle so far was X9.0 on October 3rd (X class indicates the most powerful flare, and the numbers provide more information about its strength).

NASA, NOAA: Sun reaches maximum in 11-year solar cycle

Number of sunspots over the past 24 solar cycles. Scientists use sunspots to track the progress of the solar cycle. Dark spots are associated with solar activity and are often the source of giant explosions such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections that can spew light, energy, and solar material into space. Credit: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center

NOAA expects additional solar and geomagnetic storms to occur during the current solar maximum, creating opportunities for aurora spotting and potential technological impacts in the coming months. Additionally, although less frequently, scientists often observe fairly significant storms during the waning phase of the solar cycle.

NASA and NOAA are preparing for the future of space weather research and prediction. In December 2024, NASA’s Parker Solar Exploration Mission will make its closest approach to the Sun ever, breaking the record for closest man-made object to the Sun. This is the first of three approaches Parker plans at this distance, and will help researchers understand space weather at its roots.

NASA, NOAA: Sun reaches maximum in 11-year solar cycle

Solar Cycle 25 predictions made by the Solar Cycle 25 Forecast Panel. Sunspot number is an indicator of the strength of the solar cycle. The higher the sunspot number, the stronger the solar cycle. Credit: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center

NASA plans to launch several missions over the next year that will help us better understand space weather and its effects on the entire solar system.

Space weather forecasting is critical to supporting spacecraft and astronauts in NASA’s Artemis campaign. Exploring this space environment is an essential part of understanding and mitigating astronauts’ exposure to cosmic radiation.

Provided by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Source: Sun reaches maximum phase in 11-year solar cycle (October 15, 2024) from https://phys.org/news/2024-10-sun-maximum-phase-year-solar.html 2024 Retrieved October 15th

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