Now we’re ready, get ready because this is the perfect time to see the Northern Lights, also in Italy: let’s discover together what the “solar maximum” that we are about to reach and what it has to do with the aurorae.
The cycle of the Sun and solar maximum
The Sun is characterized by a natural cycle, lasting 11 years and known as the solar cycle, at the peak of which its poles reverse, as if on Earth the North and South poles were exchanged, and this event is known as “maximum solar”.
In this phase the Sun goes from low to high magnetic activity, becoming active and stormy.
To understand where the Sun is in its cycle, scientists observe sunspots, that is, those areas of intense magnetic fields that are the source of solar flares.
The more sunspots there are, the more solar activity increases, the closer we are to the “solar maximum”.
It is therefore not possible to predict when the “solar maximum” will be, but we will only find out when it has passed, and that is when the sunspots decrease. However, experts believe that the maximum phase will last about another year.
@greenme_it It is not necessary to go to the Nordic countries, now the Northern Lights are about to make us dream in Italy too. The reason? The Sun has officially reached solar maximum! Prepare to be enchanted!
. . . #auroraboreale #italy #naturalphenomena #sun #solarstorms #thingsyoudon’tknow
♬ original sound – greenMe
The consequences of solar maximum on our lives
The “solar maximum” can trigger immense explosions of light, solar storms (flares), coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and then geomagnetic storms, conditions known as space weather.
Space weather in turn can affect satellites and astronauts in space, as well as communications systems, such as radios and GPS, by jamming the signal, and electrical grids, causing blackouts and malfunctions, on Earth.
In any case we don’t have to worry, but if anything this is the perfect time to see the polar lights.
What does “solar maximum” have to do with the Northern Lights
The polar lights are a consequence of this intense solar activity.
The polar aurora is in fact an optical phenomenon that occurs in the ionosphere, between 100 and 500 kilometers above sea level, and is caused by the interaction between the solar wind, composed of protons and electrons, and the Earth’s magnetic field.
When these charged particles reach the Earth’s atmosphere, they collide with oxygen and nitrogen and energy is released in the form of light, which we see in the form of spectacular bright streaks of various colors:
The polar auroras are divided into:
“Solar maximum”: why we will see more Northern Lights in Italy
The fascinating aspect of the “solar maximum”
is that even in Italy we will be able to enjoy the spectacle of the polar auroras because the activity of the sun will be so intense that the beams of light will also be able to reach our altitudes.
