An agency in the UK has forecast an ‘extreme space weather’ event in the coming weeks.
The Met Office, in Britain, has said they can expect a peak in the Sun’s 11-year activity cycle will cause an increase of coronal mass ejections from the star, leading to more aurora borealis activity – the Northern Lights.
It explains how the number and intensity of sunspots affect extreme space weather impacting Earth. In rare cases, it could affect satellites, and electric power grids and result in geomagnetic storms.
The risk of blackouts may increase if the auroras stretch south, the Met Office says, adding predicting when they may happen is too difficult.
Weather manager Simon Machin said: “While the solar cycle doesn’t help determine specific space weather events, what it does is help our forecasters understand the context of their forecasts.
“In its simplest terms, the solar cycle is linked to the number and intensity of sunspots that are visible on the surface of the Sun. This affects the likelihood of space weather events impacting the Earth.”
Keeping a close eye on the surface of the sun may give an idea of when the solar maximum may occur, but experts say it’s still impossible to forecast exactly when.
Mr Machin continued: “One of the curious things about the solar maximum is that it’s not possible to declare it has occurred until after it has happened and when you observe that reduction in sunspot activity.”
He added space experts know the more the solar maximum increases, the chances of space weather events impacting Earth also rise. Machin explained more auroral displays are likely to take place throughout this year and 2025 as the sun emits solar flares and geomagnetic storms.
Other predictions believe the event will happen between February and September.
