(ORDO NEWS) — Very soon, the Sun will reach its maximum activity. This phenomenon is called solar maximum. Scientists have told what humanity can expect when this happens. This is reported by ScienceAlert.
The latest research from NASA shows that the solar maximum will catch up with the star in 2025. It always occurs in the middle of one solar cycle, which lasts about 11 Earth years.
Scientists suggest that the new maximum may be much more powerful than the previous ones. Its power will have a serious impact on our planet. Experts note that, first of all, the number of northern lights will increase. Space weather will also change and drastically affect everyday life.
What to expect at the new solar maximum
Matthew Owens from the University of Reading in Great Britain spoke in detail about the consequences of future solar activity.
The new phenomenon will be characterized by a huge number of solar flares and coronal mass ejections. This means that the number of magnetic storms will increase already in 2025.
Satellites in Earth orbit and astronauts from the ISS and Tiangong space stations can be affected by these flares.
Owens said that the last solar maximum was in 2012-2014, when it was marked as one of the weakest in the last century. The new maximum will be ten times stronger than the previous one.
Any activity on the sun is associated with changes in the star’s magnetic field. Therefore, a series of powerful solar storms in 2025 cannot be avoided. And the further, the more powerful they will be. What can cause the loss of mobile and satellite communication. People also feel bad during the following periods: fatigue, irritability, exacerbation of chronic diseases.
Humanity cannot prepare in advance for the solar maximum. But knowing about its possible consequences, you can develop a plan to minimize the damage.
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Solar maximum refers to the period of greatest solar activity in the 11-year solar cycle of the Sun. It is the phase when the Sun’s magnetic field becomes highly active, leading to increased sunspot and solar flare activity. Solar maximum is the opposite of solar minimum, which represents a period of relatively low solar activity.
During solar maximum, the number and size of sunspots, dark regions on the Sun’s surface with intense magnetic activity, reach their peak. Sunspots are areas of intense magnetic fields that can cause solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which are large eruptions of solar material into space. These solar events can release enormous amounts of energy and particles, affecting various aspects of space weather and potentially impacting Earth’s technological systems.
Solar maximum is associated with increased solar radiation and heightened geomagnetic activity. This can lead to phenomena such as auroras (northern and southern lights) appearing at lower latitudes, enhanced ionospheric disturbances, and potential disruptions to satellite communications, power grids, and other technological infrastructure.
Scientists monitor solar activity closely, studying sunspots, solar flares, and CMEs to better understand the Sun’s behavior and its potential effects on Earth. Space agencies, such as NASA and other international organizations, conduct space weather forecasting to provide timely warnings and mitigate any potential impacts on human activities and technology during periods of solar maximum or heightened solar activity.
It’s important to note that the solar cycle is not perfectly regular, and the intensity of each solar maximum can vary. Some solar cycles exhibit more pronounced peaks and higher solar activity, while others may have lower activity levels during their maximum phase. Therefore, the specific characteristics and impacts of each solar maximum can differ.
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