ST. LOUIS – 2024 has been a standout year for solar activity, with a total solar eclipse in April and a series of solar storms that brought the northern lights this summer.
According to Dr. Mike Nowak, a researcher at Washington University, the sun’s activity follows an 11-year cycle, with the solar maximum marking the peak of sunspots. This year, the sun has reached its peak, with about 250 sunspots observed.
At the solar maximum, increased solar storms send high-energy particles through space, some of which interact with Earth’s atmosphere, creating stunning auroras like those seen over the summer. However, these solar explosions can also disrupt technology, potentially affecting power grids, communications, and astronaut safety, as explained by NASA heliophysicist Dr. Kelly Korreck.
Despite these concerns, solar activity has little impact on Earth’s weather or climate. The sun’s changes are too small to significantly influence our day-to-day weather patterns.