If you thought last weekend’s solar storm was intense, brace yourself. Experts are cautioning that we could face even more severe solar eruptions until 2025. Dr. Jonathan McDowell, a Harvard astrophysicist, explained that the sun’s cycle of heightened solar activity and energy output, known as the “solar maximum,” is yet to reach its peak. This maximum is expected to occur in July 2025.
Dr. McDowell warns that bigger storms could be heading our way in the next couple of years. The recent “extreme (G5) geomagnetic conditions” were triggered by a massive sunspot, even larger than the one responsible for the infamous 1859 Carrington Event. This event disrupted telegraph systems and even set telegraph wires ablaze. Space weather experts believe that direct hits from future solar storms could be even more damaging.
During the last solar minimum in 2019, there were almost no visible sunspots on the sun’s surface. However, as we approach the solar maximum in July 2025, the US National Space Weather Prediction Center predicts up to 115 sunspots. These magnetically dense areas can generate solar flares and powerful coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which have the potential to severely impact satellites, radio communications, and power grids.
Although the 11-year solar cycle only increases the sun’s total radiation output by a small percentage, this additional energy is highly concentrated in sunspot activity. Such excess energy has been known to disrupt satellites and cause radio blackouts. The heightened radiation levels as we approach the solar maximum are already putting strain on satellite infrastructure.
Dr. McDowell even highlighted the increased drag on the Hubble Space Telescope due to higher atmospheric density caused by solar activity. He noted that the recent solar storm caused the orbital decay rate of the Hubble to double, accelerating its descent towards Earth. Satellites are more vulnerable during this period, facing heightened risks of electrostatic discharges and increased drag, which requires mission controllers to remain extra vigilant.
Last weekend’s powerful G5 geomagnetic storm caused disruptions to GPS satellites, resulting in the shutdown of farming equipment across the US Midwest. Farmers reported that their tractors were rendered inoperative due to the solar storm. This incident underscores the immediate and practical impacts of solar activity on our daily lives and technology.
Dr. McDowell’s own Chandra X-ray telescope, launched in 1999, took precautions to protect its instruments during the storm. While not entirely shut down, certain components were turned off to prevent electrical damage. Similar solar storms in the past have caused significant losses, such as the 1994 event that damaged three satellites, including one that was entirely lost.
Currently, space weather experts rely on tracking sunspots to forecast solar storms. By monitoring these active areas, they can predict when they might face Earth and potentially cause disruptions. Dr. McDowell emphasizes the importance of improving these forecasting methods to better prepare for future solar storms.
As we approach the solar maximum, the risks to satellites, power grids, and communication systems will increase. Continuous monitoring and advances in forecasting are crucial to mitigate the potential impacts of these powerful solar events. So, let’s stay vigilant and be prepared for what the Sun has in store for us!
