The Solar Cycle: 11 Years of Change

The solar cycle lasts about 11 years, marked by rising and falling sunspot numbers.
Sunspots are dark regions on the Sun’s surface where magnetic activity is most intense.
Solar maximum is the cycle’s peak, with frequent solar flares and coronal mass ejections.
During solar minimum, sunspots nearly vanish, and solar activity is at its quietest.
Solar activity influences space weather, impacting satellites, GPS, and power grids on Earth.
The Sun’s magnetic field flips polarity every cycle, with north and south poles reversing.
Auroras are more common near solar maximum, as charged particles bombard Earth’s atmosphere.
Scientists track solar cycles to better predict disruptions to communication and navigation systems.
Solar cycles have been numbered since 1755, providing a historical record of solar activity.
The current cycle, Solar Cycle 25, began in December 2019 and will peak mid-2020s.