In recent months, Earth has repeatedly faced the wrath of the Sun in the form of intense solar storms. But will it continue or will there be an end to it in the near future? Find out.
Since the beginning of 2022, the Earth has suffered from continuous and intense solar storms. Based on data by SpaceWeatherLive, there have been more than 50 solar storms of at least category M2 or higher this year alone. These solar storms disrupted GPS systems and caused navigational obstacles for aircraft, ships, and shortwave radio operators. And that’s not the worst they can do. The examples of the Carrington event of 1859 and the Halloween solar storm of 2003 provide a glimpse into the destructive power of these fiery solar radiation. But why are solar storms causing so many problems for us this year and will soon be over? Read to find out.
Why does the Sun make so many solar storms?
The sun goes through a solar cycle that lasts about 11 years. It is classified based on the different solar activities taking place on its surface. Each solar cycle has a peak and a trough. The peak is called the Solar Maximum and is indicated by the highest Solar activity. During this period, the Sun produces a large number of sunspots and has continuous solar eruptions, emitting CMEs in space, and when they hit Earth, it causes solar storms. On the other hand, during the trough, known as the Solar Minimum, solar activity remains at its lowest and sunspots are barely visible. It is not known why this period is 11 years long or why the Sun goes through such cycles.
However, the Sun has now entered its 25th Solar Cycle, and in 2023 it will peak when both the number and intensity of solar storms are at their highest.
Will the onslaught of the sun ever stop
Once the Sun peaks in 2023, nuclear explosions on its surface as well as the number of sunspots will decrease. And then until 2030, the number of such incidents will continue to decrease until the Sun hits its Sun minimum. Then the 26th solar cycle will begin.
