Sun enters peak activity phase, says NASA
Tengrinews.kz – The Sun has entered a phase of maximum activity that could continue for about a year, according to NASA, reports Dailysabah.
NASA announced that the Sun is currently at the peak of its activity, which started two years ago and could last for some time. However, precise data will only be available after further analysis. Typically, such phases last around 3-4 years.
Solar activity follows an 11-year cycle, alternating between calm periods and heightened activity. Currently, the Sun is experiencing frequent solar flares and mass ejections, which lead to geomagnetic storms and the vibrant northern lights seen recently.
"This doesn't necessarily mean we're at the very peak of activity yet. We will know more about the exact peak time in the coming months or even years," said El-Said Talaat, Director of Space Weather Operations at NOAA.
Throughout this period of solar activity, northern lights will be more frequent and may even occur in areas where they are not typically seen. Recently, bright red and green auroras were visible in places like Germany, the U.S., the U.K., the Mediterranean region, and even Kazakhstan.
These light displays occur when charged particles from solar ejections interact with Earth's magnetic field. While such auroras are common during peak solar activity, scientists say they may continue to be visible even as solar activity begins to decline.