Think of the Sun as a giant cauldron of plasma in which nuclear reactions occur on a colossal scale. And as in any turbulent system, the calm is always followed by the storm. Scientists know this well: solar activity follows a periodic cycle of about 11 years, and the new images captured by ESA's Solar Orbiter probe show that the next storm could be imminent.
Launched in 2020, the probe Solar orbiter from ESA represents a fundamental step forward in the study of the Sun. Thanks to its cutting-edge instruments, the probe is able to acquire close-up images of the surface and monitor solar activity in real time.
A shocking passage to say the least
Two images compared, one from February 2021 and the other from October 2023, reveal the dramatic transformation of our star. In 2021, the surface of the Sun was relatively quiet, with few sunspots to witness reduced solar activity. Two years later, the situation is completely different: sunspots have proliferated, creating a teeming mosaic of dark and bright areas.
What does it mean? Sunspots are cooler, denser areas of the sun's surface, caused by intense magnetic activity. Their increase is a clear indicator that the Sun is entering the most active phase of its 2025-year cycle, a period that will culminate in XNUMX.
Peak solar activity: why does it matter?
Understanding the solar cycle is critical for several reasons. Solar storms, in fact, can have a significant impact on Earth, affecting power grids, satellite communications and even the climate. Not to mention that increased solar activity can put astronauts and space probes orbiting our planet at risk.
The new images of the Sun remind us that our star is a sleeping giant that can wake up at any moment. We would have just 30 minutes notice, in the event of a solar storm: for this reason studying its behavior is essential to protect us from possible problems and to guarantee the safety of our technological systems. Solar Orbiter will continue to play a key role in this challenge, helping us unlock the mysteries of the Sun and better prepare for the future.
Source:
- ESA Solar Orbiter: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Solar_Orbiter
