Through SpaceWeather.com
The monthly number of sunspots just hit a 23-year high. The last time there were this many, the sun was on the verge of unleashing major Halloween storms, including the most powerful X-ray burst ever recorded (X45) and a CME so powerful it was spotted by the Voyager spacecraft at the edge of the solar system.
Solar Cycle 25 is not expected to be as strong as it was. When it began in December 2019, experts predicted it would be a weak cycle, like Solar Cycle 24 before it. If that forecast holds true, Solar Cycle 25 will be one of the weakest solar cycles in a century.
Instead, Solar Cycle 25 has already surpassed Solar Cycle 24 and may be on track to rival some of the stronger cycles of the 20th century. As early as May 2024, we have experienced a geomagnetic storm of the century with auroras seen in the South Pacific, Central America and South Africa. The last time sunspot numbers were this high, the sun was on the verge of erupting. Big Halloween Storms of 2003, including the most powerful X-ray burst ever recorded (X45) And such a powerful CME It was eventually discovered by the Voyager spacecraft at the edge of the solar system.
Is this Solar Max? The jury is still out. Sunspot numbers are likely to continue to rise in the coming months, and based on the behavior of previous cycles, we can confidently expect high solar activity for at least another 2 to 3 years. Stay tuned! Solar flare warning: SMS Messages
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