As we mentioned back in November and December of 2023 -- the peak solar activity cycle, called "Solar Max" -- was likely to arrive early and be more intense this time around. That transpired almost precisely as expected -- we've been in the max portion of the 11 year cycle since mid January of this year. And it has been one for the record books.
The helio-science crews at at least three agencies will now hold a press conference to describe learnings, and offer predictions, for the remainder of the max year or so to come. That will be a briefing worth hearing, since back in December, we saw likely the most intense coronal mass ejection, or CME -- aimed directly at Earth, ever recorded (see lower left graphic).
[That particular CME burst largely meant the "end of days", for the aging NEOWISE craft. It safely burned in on de-orbit shortly thereafter.]
Here's the latest, from NASA | NCAR (in Boulder):
. . .NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will discuss the Sun’s activity and the progression of Solar Cycle 25 during a media teleconference at 2 p.m. EDT, Tuesday, Oct. 15. Tracking the solar cycle is a key part of better understanding the Sun and mitigating its impacts on technology and infrastructure as humanity explores farther into space.
The Sun goes through regular cycles of activity lasting approximately 11 years. During the most active part of the cycle, known as solar maximum, the Sun can unleash immense explosions of light, energy, and solar radiation, all of which create conditions known as space weather. Space weather can affect satellites and astronauts in space, as well as communications systems such as radio and GPS — and power grids on Earth. When the Sun is most active, space weather events become more frequent. Solar activity, such as the storm in May 2024, has sparked displays of aurora and led to impacts on satellites and infrastructure in recent months. . . .
During the teleconference, experts from NASA, NOAA, and the international Solar Cycle 25 Prediction Panel, which is co-sponsored by both agencies, will discuss recent solar cycle progress and the forecast for the rest of this cycle. . . .
We will listen in, and likely offer a new post, outlining those learnings. Be excellent to one another -- and check on your relatives in Florida -- Milton is going to be a. . . monster, even if it weakens slightly during the afternoon today, into the night.
[Out, to a black tie charity dinner tonight ('tis that time of year, again), so will be no updates here, until near midnight.] Namaste, one and all. . . .
नमस्ते
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