What is the Solar Maximum?

About Solar Maximum:

• The sun goes through a natural solar cycle approximately every 11 years. The cycle is marked by the increase and decrease of sunspots -- visible as dark blemishes on the sun's surface, or photosphere.
• The greatest number of sunspots in any given solar cycle is designated as "solar maximum." The lowest number is "solar minimum."
• Impacts:
  • This increased solar activity can cause extreme space weather events, including solar flares and eruptions.
  • It can also disrupt radio communications and the power grid and have serious health consequences for astronauts.

What is the Solar Cycle?

• The Sun is a huge ball of electrically-charged hot gas. This charged gas moves, generating a powerful magnetic field.
• Every 11 years or so, the Sun's magnetic field completely flips. This means that the Sun's north and south poles switch places.
• Then it takes about another 11 years for the Sun’s north and south poles to flip back again.
• Thus, the solar cycle is the cycle that the Sun’s magnetic field goes through approximately every 11 years.
• The solar cycle affects activity on the surface of the Sun, such as sunspots which are caused by the Sun's magnetic fields.
• As the magnetic fields change, so does the amount of activity on the Sun's surface.
• The beginning of a solar cycle is a solar minimum, or when the Sun has the least sunspots. Over time, solar activity—and the number of sunspots—increases.
• The middle of the solar cycle is the solar maximum, or when the Sun has the most sunspots.
• As the cycle ends, it fades back to the solar minimum and then a new cycle begins.