A heliophysicist has suggested the effects of auroras on the Sun

A powerful geomagnetic storm last week brought rare and bright auroras, which were observed even in Florida and Mexico. Lisa Upton, a heliophysicist from the Institute of Southwestern Studies, told Scientific American magazine on November 19 what to expect from the Sun after such powerful flares.

Solar activity increases and decreases over the course of 11 years and is estimated by the number of sunspots — dark areas on the surface of the star associated with magnetic activity. The peak of the current cycle, called Cycle 25, occurred in October 2024. After that, the number of spots decreased slightly, but remains relatively high.

Upton expects a further decrease in the number of spots. However, solar activity is more complicated than it seems. Although sunspots are associated with flares, the phase of decreased activity is often associated with more activity than one might assume. Such activity is known as "space weather phenomena" and can include bursts of high-energy light and coronal mass ejections.

It is during the recession phase that solar flares and coronal ejections occur more often — huge clouds of plasma and magnetic fields. Such emissions can damage satellites, disrupt GPS and communications, and affect power systems. The danger does not come from all the spots, but from the largest and most complex ones. Although outbreaks occur near spots, not every one of them is potentially dangerous. The greatest risk is associated with large and magnetically complex formations.

"When they start interacting with each other, they are more likely to become entangled and explosive," Upton noted.

Heavenly colors: strong auroras were seen by Russians for the first time in 10 years

Powerful solar flare caused magnetic storms

Such "encounters" are especially characteristic of the late phase of the maximum, when the spots shift closer to the solar equator and more often appear next to each other. The active area that caused the recent auroras has been named AR4274. By now, the sun has turned, and she has gone to its opposite side. But that doesn't mean she's gone. There is a possibility that in two weeks it will turn back to Earth.

"I think we'll see her come back. The main question is whether she will continue to grow, once on the other side, or calm down," Upton added.

Scientists are monitoring AR4274 using helioseismology, a method that allows them to "listen" to solar fluctuations and use them to determine structures on the hidden side of the star.

In addition to the main 11-year cycle, there are short fluctuations within it lasting 1-2 years, causing a temporary increase in activity. In cycles with a low maximum, like the current one, such peaks are more noticeable. Therefore, Upton expects a slight increase in activity in about a year or two. But in general, cycle 25 is already moving towards the minimum expected by 2030-2031.

Earlier, on November 12, Science X magazine reported the discovery of a super-powerful "star factory" in the universe. It was noted that the Y1 galaxy is forming stars at a rate about 180 times faster than the Milky Way.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.