December 23, 2024

Geomagnetic Meltdown: NOAA Satellites Detect Severe Solar Storm

Credit: SciTechDaily.comNOAAs GOES satellites observed substantial solar activity, consisting of a serious geomagnetic storm, marking the peak stage of Solar Cycle 25. As a result of this storm, power grid abnormalities were reported in Canada.Current Solar Cycle and PredictionsWe are currently in Solar Cycle 25. The solar cycle is an almost periodic modification in the Suns activity moving from solar minimum (least number of sunspots and low solar activity) through solar maximum (most sunspots and high solar activity) and back to solar minimum, which usually takes about 11 years. During solar minimum, a couple of years might pass in between storms.According to NOAAs Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), a revised forecast concludes that solar activity during Solar Cycle 25 will increase more quickly and peak at a greater level than that predicted by a specialist panel in December 2019.

As an outcome of this storm, power grid irregularities were reported in Canada.Current Solar Cycle and PredictionsWe are currently in Solar Cycle 25. The solar cycle is an almost periodic modification in the Suns activity moving from solar minimum (least number of sunspots and low solar activity) through solar optimum (most sunspots and high solar activity) and back to solar minimum, which typically takes about 11 years. Throughout solar minimum, a couple of years may pass in between storms.According to NOAAs Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), a revised forecast concludes that solar activity during Solar Cycle 25 will increase more quickly and peak at a greater level than that forecasted by a professional panel in December 2019.