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Earth is expected to face powerful solar storms as scientists predict the arrival of 'solar maximum' in 2024, Daily Mail reported. These flares are

News • Tech and Science Scientists predict ‘2024 solar maximum’ will disrupt world’s internet for weeks Brendan TaylorNovember 29, 2023 11:51 am Source: Pixabay Earth is expected to face powerful solar storms as scientists predict the arrival of ‘solar maximum’ in 2024, Daily Mail reported. These flares are projected to be potent enough to disrupt the world’s internet for weeks. Indian researchers predict solar maximum could arrive in 2024 and cripple the world’s internet for weeks Roughly every 11 years, the sun experiences something called ‘solar maximum.’ During this time, peculiar dark spots, called ‘sunspots,’ show up on its surface. These sunspots, sometimes grouping together like islands, happen due to big shifts in the sun’s magnetic field. They can release powerful bursts of energy, leading to ‘solar storms’ that might harm satellites and mess with the internet. The latest prediction is from a group of Indian researchers, and it differs from NASA‘s recent forecast, which expects it to happen in late 2025. Dr. Dibyendu Nandi, a physicist from the IISER Kolkata Center of Excellence in Space Sciences in India, led the new study. According to him, it’s too soon to tell how strong and what effects the solar storms might have, but we’ll likely find out more as the new year gets closer. “The most intense storms can sometimes result in catastrophic orbital decay of low Earth-orbiting satellites and disrupt satellite-based services such as communications and navigational networks,” the physicist told Mail Online. “They can also induce strong disturbances in the geomagnetic field tripping electric power grids located in high latitude regions. Of course, they also create beautiful auroras so we can expect 2024 to be a good year for aurora hunters,” he added. The challenge of predicting extreme space weather The scientists mention that figuring out precisely when this peak will happen – and, as a result, when the most extreme space weather will affect Earth – has been tricky. We understand that solar cycles typically happen about every 11 years – but Dr. Nandi clarifies that this is just an average. Using their recent insights, scientists employed their newfound understanding to forecast precisely when the solar maximum of the current cycle would reach its peak. ‘Predicting the time of maximum amplitude of sunspot cycle is important for gauging when the most adverse space environmental conditions (space weather) are expected,’ the researchers stated. Tagssolar space FacebookX You may also like Mysterious world beyond Pluto may have an atmosphere: astronomers After milestone-rich lunar flyby, astronauts start trip home Giant step for humankind: Artemis crew to set space distance record About the authorView All Posts Brendan Taylor Brendan Taylor was a TV news producer for 5 and a half years. He is an experienced writer. Brendan covers Breaking News at Insider Paper. Add Comment Click here to post a comment You must be logged in to post a comment. Breaking Headlines S.Africa police move foreigners seeking safety from anti-migrant threats Venezuelan leader to travel to India for oil talks, Rubio says US Democrats release – and disown – 2024 election autopsy Trump postpones AI order signing, ‘didn’t like’ some aspects Rubio says Cuba has accepted US offer of $100 mn in aid Late queen pushed for son Andrew to be UK trade envoy: official papers Musk’s SpaceX bonus comes with unique condition: colonize Mars France, Netherlands dismantle VPN linked to cybercrime US expects ‘below normal’ Atlantic hurricane season Kremlin says US Castro indictment ‘borders on violence’ Register / Login to commentContinue with GoogleContinue with X Mysterious world beyond Pluto may have an atmosphere: astronomers After milestone-rich lunar flyby, astronauts start trip home Giant step for humankind: Artemis crew to set space distance record

Scientists predict '2024 solar maximum' will disrupt world's internet for weeks