Tag

Solar Cycle

All articles tagged with #solar cycle

science25 days ago•4 min saved

Solar Max Sparks Southern UK Auroras

Auroras lit up the South West of the UK (Devon, Cornwall and the Channel Islands) due to coronal mass ejections from the Sun at the height of solar cycle 25. Experts say 2025–2026 is the likely peak, with some forecasts suggesting the next maximum could be as late as 2037. Strong geomagnetic storms push auroras farther south, but visibility depends on dark skies and viewing conditions. To see them, monitor Met Office Space Weather alerts and head to dark-sky sites away from light pollution, using long-exposure photography; the article notes several South West dark-sky locations.

via BBC|

#aurora #geomagnetic-storm #northern-lights

science1 month ago•4 min saved

Record-Breaking Solar Activity Unveiled by Recent Observations

A record-breaking study revealed that the giant sunspot AR 13664, which grew to 15 times Earth's width, produced nearly 1,000 solar flares, including powerful X-class flares, and triggered Earth's most intense geomagnetic storm in over 20 years, highlighting the sun's immense power during solar maximum.

via Live Science|

#geomagnetic-storm #science #solar-cycle

science1 month ago•2 min saved

SpaceX Starts Lowering Orbits of 4,400 Starlink Satellites for Safety

SpaceX plans to lower the orbits of approximately 4,400 Starlink satellites from 550 km to 480 km in 2026 to enhance safety and reduce collision risks, especially as solar activity decreases and atmospheric drag lessens, impacting satellite decay times and space debris management.

via Space|

#orbit #satellites #science

science3 months ago•2 min saved

Northern Lights Could Illuminate 18 U.S. States Wednesday Night

A strong geomagnetic storm caused by solar activity has increased the chances of viewing the northern lights across 18 U.S. states on Wednesday night, although weather conditions like cloudiness may prevent sightings in some areas like Portland.

via OregonLive.com|

#aurora-borealis #geomagnetic-storm #northern-lights

science3 months ago•5 min saved

ESA's Sun spacecraft uncovers surprising magnetic activity at the solar south pole

ESA's Solar Orbiter captured the first close-up images of the Sun's magnetic field near its south pole, revealing faster-than-expected magnetic migration and providing new insights into the solar cycle and polar magnetic dynamics.

via Space|

#science #solar-cycle #solar-magnetic-field

science3 months ago•2 min saved

Solar Orbiter Unveils Surprising Magnetic Dynamics at the Sun’s Poles

For the first time, the European Space Agency's Solar Orbiter has captured images of the Sun's polar magnetic field, revealing that plasma and magnetic activity at the poles move faster than previously thought, providing new insights into the Sun's 11-year activity cycle.

via IFLScience|

#polar-regions #science #solar-cycle

science5 months ago•2 min saved

Upcoming Northern Lights and Celestial Events to Watch For

The upcoming period around the fall equinox could see a brief but spectacular increase in Northern Lights displays due to the Russell-McPherron Effect, which causes more intense geomagnetic storms when Earth's magnetic field aligns with the solar wind, especially during the sun's peak activity cycle.

via Forbes|

#aurora #geomagnetic-storms #northern-lights

science5 months ago•3 min saved

NASA Reports Increased Solar Activity

NASA's recent study indicates that solar activity, which had been decreasing since the 1980s and was at its weakest in 2008, has started to increase again, potentially leading to more space weather events like solar storms and flares, which can impact Earth and space missions.

via NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) (.gov)|

#heliospheric-data #nasa #science

science7 months ago•3 min saved

Scientists Uncover Long-Standing Solar Mystery

Scientists have uncovered the long-standing mystery of why sunspots last so long by using a new observation technique that reveals a balance between magnetic fields and pressure, confirming that sunspots are in magnetohydrostatic equilibrium. This discovery, made possible by advanced polarized light analysis with the GREGOR solar telescope, enhances understanding of solar activity and could improve space weather forecasting.

via Yahoo|

#magnetic-fields #science #solar-cycle

science7 months ago•3 min saved

Ancient Sun Mystery Solved After 400 Years

A recent study has finally explained why sunspots remain stable for long periods, revealing that magnetic and pressure forces within sunspots are in perfect balance, thanks to improved observation techniques that remove atmospheric interference. This breakthrough enhances our understanding of solar stability and could improve predictions of space weather events that impact Earth.

via ScienceAlert|

#magnetic-fields #science #solar-cycle

science8 months ago•2 min saved

Massive Solar Flare Triggers Global Radio Blackouts

A large, unstable sunspot (region 4114) facing Earth has emitted its strongest flare yet, an X.12 class solar flare, causing radio blackouts and disruptions, with more eruptions expected as the Sun is in its solar maximum phase. The flare was electromagnetic, not accompanied by a coronal mass ejection, and the region is predicted to remain active until it rotates out of view.

via Gizmodo|

#earth-impact #science #solar-cycle

science8 months ago•3 min saved

Solar Orbiter Captures First-Ever Images of the Sun's Poles

The Solar Orbiter spacecraft captured the first detailed images of the sun's south pole, revealing that its magnetic poles have flipped during solar maximum, a phenomenon that helps scientists understand solar activity and improve space weather predictions.

via Mashable|

#science #solar-cycle #solar-magnetic-field

science8 months ago•3 min saved

Solar Orbiter Reveals First Images of the Sun's South Pole

The European Space Agency's Solar Orbiter has captured the first-ever images of the sun's south pole, revealing complex magnetic activity and providing new insights into solar behavior and magnetic field dynamics, especially during the sun's active solar maximum phase.

via NBC News|

#science #solar-cycle #solar-magnetic-activity

science8 months ago•3 min saved

Solar Orbiter Reveals First Clear Images of the Sun’s South Pole

The Solar Orbiter has captured the first clear images of the Sun’s south pole from outside the ecliptic plane, revealing complex magnetic activity and providing new insights into the Sun’s magnetic cycle and solar outbursts. The spacecraft's unique vantage point allows scientists to better understand the Sun's polar regions, which are crucial for understanding solar activity and its effects on Earth.

via Gizmodo|

#science #solar-cycle #solar-magnetic-field

science-and-exploration8 months ago•8 min saved

Solar Orbiter Reveals First Images of the Sun's Poles

The European Space Agency's Solar Orbiter has achieved a historic milestone by capturing the first-ever images of the Sun's poles from outside the ecliptic plane, providing new insights into the Sun's magnetic field, solar cycle, and space weather phenomena. The spacecraft's tilted orbit allows it to observe the poles directly, revealing complex magnetic structures and material movements, which will enhance understanding of solar activity and its effects on Earth.

via European Space Agency|

#science-and-exploration #solar-cycle #solar-magnetic-field