The Sun is Maxing Out!

    Published: 06-16-2009
    Views: 7,632
    Experts say that an increase in sunspots suggest that the sun is approaching a solar maximum in its 11 year cycle.

    It’s that time again when the sun starts acting up!   The sun goes through a natural solar cycle about every 11 years, which is visible in the increase or decrease of sunspots that appear on the surface of the sun.  When there is an increase, the sun is said to be approaching a  “solar maximum.”  Well, there has been a noticeable increase in sunspots over past several years, and experts say that a solar maximum is upon us.  With that come solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which can affect spacecrafts, satellites, and knock out electronic systems.  NOAA reported severalsolar flares this week with the latest occurring October 25 at 4:03 am EDT.  From their observations of the recent activity, NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center is forecasting a solar storm for today.  But not to worry, they are only expecting a G1, which is a minor Geomagnetic storm.  They say updates will be given asconditions unfold.