The sun has entered a new “solar cycle”, NASA says.
Officially named “Solar Cycle 25”, it signals that space weather will increase which could have an impact on technology as well as astronauts on Earth.
Experts say the final search will be to make sure the world is ready to deal with the various problems and complications that may arise as a result of climate change.
The activity of the sun has been going on in a cycle of about 11 years, the star has become active from regularity and returned to peace. The duration of these activities is known as solar weather and although their changes have been observed for hundreds of years, most of their processes and effects remain largely mysterious.
Solar climate change can have far-reaching effects: Astronauts who are not protected by the Earth’s magnetic field could be exposed to dangerous amounts of radioactivity and this could create significant problems for radio communication technologies on land. Experts also suggest that the start of a new cycle should be an opportunity to plan for the changes expected in the coming years.
“There’s no bad weather, just bad preparation,” said Jack Bleacher, chief scientist at NASA’s Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate at the agency’s headquarters. “Whatever the space weather is – it’s our job to prepare.”
The solar minimum, which marks the end of the previous cycle, actually occurred in December 2019, NASA said. However, it may take a few months to know for sure what the sun’s variability means.
As the sun moves towards its new cycle, dramatic events can occur at the bottom – massive explosions such as solar flares or coronal mass emissions. These could send “light, energy and solar matter” into space, NASA noted.
“We have detailed records of a few small solar centers that mark the beginning and rise of a new cycle,” said Frederick Clette, director of the Sunspot Index and World Data Center for Long-Term Solar Observations.
“These are the smallest heralds of the giant solar fireworks of the future. It is only by following the general trend for a few months that we can determine the tipping point between the two cycles. “
Scientists expect the Sun to reach its next projected maximum by July 2025.
They noted that this cycle was relatively expected compared to the previous cycle, which was lower than average. However, this does not mean that there is no risk, the researchers said.
“This is because of the lower average solar cycle, which does not mean that there is no risk of extreme weather,” said Doug Biseker, a solar physicist at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center. “The effects of the sun are real in our daily lives and are there.”
