Finding new ways to track the solar cycle • Earth.com

Finding new ways to track the solar cycle

10-26-2020


Today’s Video of the Day from NASA Goddard describes how experts are tracking the Sun’s magnetic activity cycle, also known as the solar cycle. 

Around every 11 years, the Sun exhibits violent bursts of magnetic activity that gradually die down over time. 

The powerful peak of this solar activity can affect the entire solar system, including spacecraft electronics.

Spacecrafts carrying astronauts are risk of being bombarded by particle radiation if they are not sufficiently protected.

Understanding and predicting solar activity is now more important than ever before, as astronauts prepare for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

The solar cycle recently reached its minimum in December of 2019, and Solar Cycle 25 is currently underway.

Video Credit: NASA Goddard 

By Chrissy Sexton, Earth.com Staff Writer

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