Solar Cycle 25 To Start: More Flares, Solar Storms Coming Up — Expert Says

A specialist claims that Solar Cycle 25 is about to begin and that additional flares and solar storms should be anticipated.

A solar flare on Friday, February 17, as part of the sun's eruption, was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory spacecraft in an ultraviolet image.

Thomas Berger, a solar physicist from the University of Colorado, said that by no means was the most recent solar flare the biggest in history, nevertheless, it was a significant X flare. The letter "X" stands for the intensity classification system for solar flares, which ranges from weak A-class flares to powerful X-class flares.

According to Berger, solar flares of that size typically result in some radio interference on the side of the Earth that faces the sun for an hour or two. By comparison, the strongest solar flare ever recorded was over a hundred times more powerful. It happened in 2003. As a result, this one was relatively mild and did not pose any major issues.

Solar Cycle 25

The three main types of solar-eruption activity-solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and radiation storms-are described by Berger as increasing in frequency over the coming years. According to NASA's article from 2022, the rising phase of Solar Cycle 25 predicts an increase in solar eruption activity.

The peak of this cycle, known as the solar maximum is predicted to occur by 2025. Which could dramatically impact planned space activities, such as the increasing constellations of low-Earth orbit satellites.

The phrase Solar Cycle 25 pertains to the 25 cycles that have taken place since 1755 when scientists first started keeping meticulous records of sunspots.

National Weather Service notes that the latest solar maximum happened in April 2014.

Powerful Magnetic Fields

These magnetic fields cycle in and out of activity over 11 years for reasons that astronomers are still unsure of. The cycle also affects the sunspots, which are dark patches on the star's surface; more spots appear as the sun approaches solar maximum.

Sunspots, according to Berger, are the cause of solar magnetic eruptions, and as the sun becomes more active, sunspot numbers and size increase.

The current solar cycle so far stands out in a significant way because it is currently more active than predicted by organizations like the Space Weather Prediction Center by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, with much more sunspots manifesting on the sun than predicted.

Berger said that because it is still early and could regress to that weak forecast at any time, it is uncertain if it will stay more active than the forecast.

Possible Solar Eruptions 2025

Geomagnetic storms resulting from solar eruptions can potentially harm ground-based electronics, and with the rising number of satellites and technological advancements in space, the dangers posed are greater today than in 1989.

While efforts are underway to enhance the accuracy and precision of solar eruption forecasting, the lack of real-time data assimilation in Earth's upper atmosphere simulation remains a challenge.

The impact of geomagnetic storms on satellites and electrical operations on the ground remains uncertain, but reliable forecasting is crucial for future space missions, including NASA's plans to explore the moon and Mars.

Also Read: Most Active Regions of Sun to Face Earth, Expect Increased Chances of Various Space Weather Events, Experts Say 

Effects on Life on Earth

Solar eruptions can cause geomagnetic storms that can damage electronics on the ground, and with the increasing number of satellites and technology in space, the risks are higher today than in 1989.

Scientists and researchers are working to improve the accuracy and detail of solar eruption forecasting, but it is still a challenge due to the lack of real-time data assimilation in the Earth's upper atmosphere simulation.

The ability to predict the impact of geomagnetic storms on satellites and electrical operations on the ground is still uncertain, but accurate forecasting is critical for future space missions, such as NASA's plan to go to the moon and Mars.

The sun will continue to rise toward its solar maximum in 2025 the meantime.

The sun will continue to rise until it reaches its maximum in 2025. Berger predicts that a significant eruption could start to affect the Earth at any point from now to 2028, possibly 2029. Daily life won't likely be affected, but NASA as well as satellite operators will have to pay attention to the sun, PopSci reports.

Related Article: Intense X-Class Solar Flare Causes South Pacific Radio Blackout In Sunspot's Second Firing This Week