The solar system is named after the Sun and the planets that revolve around it. All the planets in the solar system are influenced by the activities happening on the Sun. Life on Earth is sustained by solar energy. However, when this solar energy reaches Earth in excessive amounts, it is called a solar storm. These solar storms are also known as solar flares or geomagnetic storms. Since the beginning of 2023, several solar storms have collided with Earth. This is the time of the 25th solar cycle. When the Sun completes an 11-year cycle, heavy explosions occur on its surface, releasing a large amount of energy. This energy has a significant impact on Earth.
June 2023 has been a terrifying month for the solar system. Scientists have stated that this time the Sun has produced so many sunspots that it has broken a 20-year record. In this single month, 160 sunspots were formed on the surface of the Sun. NASA and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had estimated the current solar cycle, which is referred to as the 25th cycle after the start of records, but it is proving to be much more severe than expected. According to Space.com, the Sun is currently going through a phase where it is producing around 200 sunspots on a monthly basis, whereas space agencies had estimated that this number would not exceed 125.
Keith Strong, a physicist studying solar activity, provided important information about solar storms on Twitter. He stated that since September 2002, June 2023 has witnessed the highest number of sunspots, reaching a count of 163.4, which is the highest in the past 20 years. According to Spaceweather.com, on July 2, one of these sunspots generated a powerful solar flare that disrupted radio services in western America and the Pacific Ocean for a while.
Scientists have stated that the solar cycle is reaching its peak. As a result, not only can we expect solar storms, but also more powerful and rapidly occurring solar storms in the near future. The increased formation of sunspots also indicates the possibility of coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These eruptions release particles of energy that create solar winds. They have an impact on Earth’s magnetic field, penetrating and entering the magnetic field, which leads to the colorful auroras visible in the sky. However, these phenomena can pose a threat to electric networks and satellites. In fact, 40 new satellites from SpaceX were damaged due to such a solar storm in 2022.
