The Sun is approaching its highest level of activity (solar maximum) during its 11-year cycle. However, this period will be recorded only seven months after its inception. Experts from the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Space Weather Coordination Center (SCCC) told scientists: portal Space.com.
The solar cycle is determined by the star’s magnetic field and appears in the form of spots on its surface.
“The maximum value is calculated using the number of sunspots in 13 months. This means that for each month, you use the six months before and six months after values. The exact value of this value for a certain period of time becomes clear only after six months,” ESA stated.
Simply put, scientists will only know whether the solar maximum has been reached in a particular month if the number of sunspots in the following month is less. According to the current methodology, it is possible to find out this only seven months after the decrease in activity.
For example, if solar maximum has occurred or will occur in February 2024, astronomers will need data on sunspot counts for the previous six months, February, and the next six full months. In this case, space researchers will be able to officially announce the passage of the star’s peak activity in September 2024.
ESA announced that the Sun could deceive researchers by showing a so-called local maximum. Sunspot cycles can also have double maxima.
According to KCCP scientists, solar activity is likely to continue increasing in the coming months. This is great news for those who want to see the northern lights because their appearance depends on solar activity.
According to current astronomer forecasts, solar maximum will occur between mid-2024 and early 2026.
Previous scientists guess There will be a record number of solar storms on Earth in 2024.