Dramatic Image Reveals How Much The Sun Has Changed in Two Years

[Trailrider1951]

Images from Solar Orbiter have been released that show closeups of the Sun's visible surface, the photosphere as it nears peak of solar activity.

At the beginning of the cycle, at solar minimum in 2019, there was relatively little activity and only a few sunspots. Since then, things have been slowly increasing. The image from February 2021 showed a reasonably quiet Sun but an image taken in October last year shows that things are, dare I say, hotting up!

The maximum of this cycle is expected to occur in 2025 which supports theories that the period of maximum activity could arrive a year earlier.

Understanding the cycle is not just of whimsical scientific interest, it is vital to ensure we minimize damage to ground based and orbiting systems but crucially understand impact on life on Earth.

https://www.sciencealert.com/dramatic-image-reveals-how-much-the-sun-has-changed-in-two-years

Interesting article at the link. Keep your eyes open for aurora borealis sightings!

[ProfessorGAC]

1. Interesting Article

I'm going to have to look up more scholarly articles. My curiosity has been prodded.