How the Sun Goes to 'Sleep' Could Reveal Future Space Weather when It Wakes

This Hidden Pattern in the Sun Could Predict Solar Storms Years in Advance

The solar cycle can be irregular, but some patterns might be trackable—enough to provide a heads-up before extreme weather events.

A hidden “switch-off” signal could predict solar storms seven years early

A newly discovered turning point in the Sun’s 11-year cycle could allow scientists to predict future solar activity years earlier than before. At this “switch-off” point, the most violent space weather abruptly ends, and the remaining number of sunspots offers clues about the next cycle’s strength. Early projections suggest Solar Cycle 26 may be moderate, but a clearer forecast is expected in about two years.

How the Sun goes to ‘sleep’ can tell us a lot about future space weather, scientists reveal

Scientists have developed a new method to predict solar cycle strength. This approach identifies a precise point where extreme space weather abruptly ceases. Researchers can now forecast the next solar cycle's activity up to seven years in advance. Early predictions suggest Solar Cycle 26 may be moderate in strength. Further refinement of these forecasts will occur in approximately two years.

How the sun goes to 'sleep' could reveal future space weather when it wakes

Scientists have developed a new way to predict the strength of the sun's next activity cycle up to seven years before it reaches its peak.