For billions of years, the sun has been shining at the center of our solar system, but it’s not just a calm, constant ball of fire. Approximately every 11 years, it goes through a cycle of activity that culminates with solar maximum, a period when solar flares and magnetic storms increase. This is what we are experiencing now. These impressive phenomena, in addition to generating magnificent northern lights, can have more serious impacts: disruption of radio communications, risks for electrical networks and shaking for satellites.
The sun, this unpredictable star
But that’s not all. While one might think that things calm down after this peak of activity, researchers reveal that another, more unknown phase awaits us: the famous “solar battle zone”. According to Scott McIntosh, a solar physicist at Lynker Space, this stage could last until 2028 and cause magnetic storms even more intense than those of the current maximum, he explains to Live Science.
The “solar battle zone” is a time when the sun enters into an “internal struggle.” Here’s where it gets complicated: two giant magnetic bands, called Hale cycle bands, form and overlap in each hemisphere of the sun. Their confrontation triggers a series of magnetic disturbances.
Among these disturbances are coronal holes: huge dark areas on the solar surface where the magnetic field allows bursts of charged particles to escape. These jets of solar wind can hit Earth with such force that they inflate our upper atmosphere, increasing the drag of low-orbiting satellites. Result: these machines risk losing altitude and, in certain cases, falling back to Earth. A scenario already observed recently.
With the explosion in the number of satellites in space, particularly with projects like SpaceX’s Starlink, the stakes are becoming colossal. “ We have never had so many objects in low orbit – around 10,000 today », souligne Scott McIntosh. « This will be a first to observe how this period affects companies that depend on these infrastructures. »
For us, simple inhabitants of Earth, the “combat zone” does not represent a direct danger. On the contrary, aurora hunters will be able to rejoice, because these luminous phenomena will be even more frequent. But for satellite operators, caution is required. We will have to closely monitor this phase, which is tumultuous to say the least, and adapt to the whims of our star.
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