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Solar Maximum – Know all about the latest trend in Space Science

Our Sun is hurtling towards its Solar Maximum, and the scientists as wells as space enthusiasts are exploring different sources, including online, to know more about this once in 11-year phenomenon and its exact date and time. Read More

Friday February 23, 2024 0:08 AM , ummid.com with inputs from Agencies

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Our Sun is hurtling towards its Solar Maximum, and the scientists as wells as space enthusiasts are exploring different sources, including online, to know more about this once in 11-year phenomenon and its exact date and time.

Solar Maximum marks a pinnacle in solar activity, driven by the Sun's dynamic and ever-shifting magnetic fields. This period of the highest solar activity during the Sun's 11-year long Solar Cycle sees a surge in the frequency and intensity of sunspots on the solar surface and the solar irradiance output grows by about 0.07%.

Solar flares, eruptions on the sun’s surface and sunspots could lead to more beautiful dancing aurora far and wide, but also radio blackouts and satellite disruptions.

Solar Cycle

The current Solar Cycle is 25th since 1755, when extensive recording of solar sunspot activity began. NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) in its prediction said the Sun will reach the peak of Solar Cycle 25 one year earlier than previous estimates – to be more specifically between January and October 2024, and during which we will also see total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, according to Space.com.

During heightened solar activity, the corona is very active and eagle-eyed observers may be able to see solar prominences — gigantic loops of plasma extending outward from the sun — appear as bright pink spots at the sun's edges.

Solar Maximum Predictions

Predictions of Solar Maximum timing and its strength are difficult task as they vary widely. There was a Solar Maximum in 2000. In 2006, NASA predicted a Solar Maximum in 2010 or 2011 also anticipating it could be the strongest since 1958. But, the Solar Maximum occurred in 2014 i.e. after 14 years, and contrary to the NASA predictions, was ranked among the weakest on record.

The phenomenon opposite to Solar Maxima is Solar Minima. The Solar Minimum, characterised by reduced solar activity, occurred in December 2019, just preceding the launch of Solar Orbiter.

Meanwhile, European Space Agency (ESA) captured the escalating tumult on the Sun's surface.

Utilising imagery from the Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUI) instrument on ESA's Solar Orbiter, astronomers have meticulously crafted a visualisation depicting the sun's transformation from February 2021 to October 2023.

The imagery reveals brilliant explosions, dark sunspots, and mesmerising loops of plasma and super-hot gas as the sun propels towards its magnetic activity peak.

 

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