Our strong solar cycle may have peaked
Randy Mann.
JAKE PARRISH/Press
Our sun has been recently making news headlines as we’re still in a strong solar cycle that has generated numerous solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). CMEs are a large release of plasma and accompanying magnetic field from the sun’s outer layer of its atmosphere. They will often follow solar flares and be released into the solar wind.
We’re currently in solar cycle 25, which is the 25th since 1755, when the recording of solar sunspot activity started. Since the beginning of solar cycle 25 in December 2019, the number of sunspots, or storms on the sun, has been the highest since 2002. Scientists recently stated that we are likely to reach the peak of this cycle by late this year, but anticipate more solar and geomagnetic storms over at least the next several years beyond 2025. This current cycle is expected to flip to a “solar minima,” or solar cycle 26, around 2030.
Become a Subscriber!
You have read all of your free articles this month. Select a plan below to start your subscription today.
Already a subscriber? Login
