Sunspots at Record High as Solar Cycle Intensifies
Scientists are continuously uncovering new information about the Sun as it nears the solar maximum, such as its increasing temperatures and influence on solar weather. Despite being in the midst of solar cycle 25, conditions are proving to be more severe than anticipated. The Sun’s volatility has escalated significantly, leaving the future outcomes rather uncertain.
Recently, scientists have discovered that sunspots are being produced very quickly and have actually reached the highest number since September 2002, when the number was 187. June’s number has reached 163.4 sunspots, according to science.com. The numbers are also thought to rise to 200.
“Highest monthly average sunspot count since September 2002!” solar physicist Keith Strong shared on Twitter on Sunday. “In June 2023 [the sunspot number] was 163.4, the highest value in more than 20 years.”
But what are sunspots and how do they appear?
According to NASA, sunspots are dark areas on the surface of the Sun. They are dark because they are much colder than the rest of the Sun’s surface. These dark areas are caused by the sun’s magnetic field, which changes as the sun’s cycle progresses.
Due to the solar maximum, the number of these sunspots increases drastically and the sun’s activity is more violent. This in turn causes frequent solar flares, disrupting the solar weather. The chain continues when solar flares hit the Earth’s atmosphere, it creates geomagnetic storms that, if strong enough, can destroy satellites, the internet and power grids.
The progression of the solar cycle
According to a Live Science report. according to the June sunspot calculation, the upcoming solar maximum will be even more active than the previous one. Notably, the largest number of sunspots recorded was in the year 2000. The number was a whopping 244 and it happened during the solar maximum!
Now in June 2023, the highest number of sunspots in the solar cycle will be 25. On July 2, this massive dark spot emitted an X-class solar flare (the sun’s most powerful form) that slammed into Earth and triggered radio outages in the western United States and the eastern Pacific, according to Spaceweather.com. This is just another sign that solar maximum is fast approaching with massive force.
