A magnetic activity of our star is not constantbut varies between periods of Minimum It is maximum. The time between two minimum (or maximum) periods is, on average, 11 yearsalthough may vary slightlydecreasing to 10 years or increasing to 12.
At the moment, we are approaching a new period of maximumwhich experts predict to the end of this year.
The peak of solar magnetic activity is near
The approach of the peak of solar magnetic activity means more sunspots, more storms and potentially more danger to Earth.
Sunspots are nothing more than the regions where magnetic fields generated inside our star emerge to the outside. They appear darker simply because your temperature is lower than that of the rest of the solar surface, which is about 5,500°Cwhile the spots have temperatures of about 4,000°C.
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However, it’s not just sunspots that are increasing in number and sizebut also numerous other phenomena linked to magnetic activity of the Sunlike the rashes and the coronal mass ejections (CME, Coronal Mass Ejection).
The flames are violent eruptions of matter very localized view of a star’s photosphere. The energy released by these stellar eruptions is equivalent to several tens of millions of atomic bombs. These create bulges solar very spectacular, plasma jets that extend to the area of the solar corona, retreating to thousands of kilometers.
Lastly, coronal mass ejections are ejections of material from the solar corona to the heliosphere. This other solar phenomenon is often associated to eruptions.
In the case of CMEthe ejected material, in the form of plasma, is constituted mainly by electrons and protonswhich are transported by the magnetic field of the corona. So, as we approach the maximum magnetic activity solar, we hope that all these phenomena will become not only more frequentlybut also more intense and violent.
These may not always cause disturbances on EarthIn fact, in most cases, do not affect our planet because eruptions or ejections of solar plasma occur in any directionjust a fraction occurs in the direction of the Earth.
What could happen to Earth?
Then, what can we expect now that we are approaching the maximum of the solar cycle?
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It is certain that as the number of sunspots, flares and coronal mass ejections increases, the fraction of these towards our planet also increases and, of course, some of these can also be particularly intense as solar magnetic activity intensifies.
The arrival of solar material on Earth can disrupt our magnetospherecausing the magnificent spectacle of the polar auroras, but not only. Could have disturbances in radio transmissionselectricity cuts, especially at high latitudes, and even real damage to satellites and power transmission lines.
Let’s hope that particularly intense phenomena do not occur in our direction, because, if they do, the damage could be very great.
