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Solar maximum is coming, but we won't know it happened until 7 months after it's over | Space

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When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Solar maximum is on the horizon, but when will it occur? The sun has been gradually gaining strength as it nears its highest rate of activity — solar maximum — during its approximately 11-year solar cycle. The solar cycle describes a period of solar activity driven by the sun's magnetic field and indicated by the frequency and intensity of sunspots visible on the surface. But, scientists won't be able to ascertain whether solar maximum has occurred until at least seven months after the fact. We asked ESA's Space Weather Coordination Center's (SSCC) solar expert center why this is the case. Related: Solar maximum: Why April's total Solar Eclipse will bring unique views of the sun's corona "The maximum is computed (as a convention) with the 13-month smoothed sunspot number (which means that for each month you use the value of six months before and six months after)," Solar expert center

Click for next article Solar maximum is on the horizon, but when will it occur? (Image credit: NASA/SDO/AIA) Share Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Email Share this article Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter The sun has been gradually gaining strength as it nears its highest rate of activity - solar maximum - during its approximately 11-year solar cycle. The solar cycle describes a period of solar activity driven by the sun 's magnetic field and indicated by the frequency and intensity of sunspot

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