Spectacular Auroras and Intensified Space Weather Ahead | Space

The Sun has reached the peak of its 11-year solar cycle, known as solar maximum, a phase that brings with it heightened solar activity, including powerful geomagnetic storms and increased aurora visibility.

According to experts from NASA and NOAA, this period could last another year or more, with frequent space weather events impacting Earth and its space infrastructure.

What Happens During Solar Maximum?

Every 11 years, the Sun transitions between periods of low and high magnetic activity, known as solar minimum and solar maximum respectively. During solar maximum, the Sun’s magnetic poles reverse, triggering an uptick in solar phenomena such as sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These magnetic storms can send bursts of solar radiation and charged particles across the solar system, some of which collide with Earth’s magnetic field, causing geomagnetic storms.

As solar activity increases, sunspots, which are cooler, magnetically active regions on the Sun’s surface, become more frequent and intense. According to Lisa Upton, co-chair of the Solar Cycle 25 Prediction Panel, “We expect to be in that maximum phase for at least the next six months to a year — maybe even a little bit longer.” This prolonged period of heightened solar activity means more opportunities for…