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Sun breaks out with record number of sunspots, sparking solar storm concerns – Space.com

July 4, 2023

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Written by Editor

Image: NASA

What’s New: Many scientists predicted this would be a relatively quiet solar cycle, but it is turning out to be one of the most active. 

Why It’s Important: Solar activity can disrupt GPS and other GNSS signals, potentially for days. If strong enough they can even destroy satellites.

What to Know:

  • GPS satellites are built to military standards and are resistant to radiation. Though nothing is bullet proof and the sun can be powerful.
  • The current solar cycle does not peak until mid-2025, so hold onto your hats!
  • Dr Scott McIntosh deputy director of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) went against the “consensus” of the scientific community and has long predicted this cycle would be epic. We spoke with him two years ago about this. His analysis was fascinating and his understanding has been proven to be superior to most. Interesting that Dr. McIntosh is at the Univ. of Col. at Boulder where a lot of GPS-related research is done.

 

SEE ALSO: IS THE SUN OUR BIGGEST ENEMY IN SPACE?

 

 

 

Sun breaks out with record number of sunspots, sparking solar storm concerns

The sun hasn’t produced this many sunspots in a single month since 2002.

The sun produced over 160 sunspots in June, the highest monthly number in more than two decades.

The data confirm that the current solar cycle, the 25th since records began, is picking up intensity at a much quicker pace than NASA and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasted, sparking concerns of severe space weather events in the months and years to come.

While the space agencies predicted a maximum monthly number of sunspots during the 25th solar cycle’s maximum to reach a modest 125, the star is now on a trajectory to peak at just under 200 monthly sunspots, and some scientists think this peak may arrive in just one year.

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