NASA Reports Surge in Solar Activity, Impacts on Earth Expected

NASA announced this week that solar activity has notably increased, reversing a trend of declining activity that had persisted for nearly two decades. This shift, observed since 2008, has raised concerns about potential impacts on space weather and technology on Earth.

A study conducted by NASA scientists, led by space plasma physicist Jamie Jasinski, and published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, highlights this unexpected resurgence in solar activity. “All signs were pointing to the Sun going into a prolonged phase of low activity,” Jasinski stated. “So it was a surprise to see that trend reversed. The Sun is slowly waking up.”

The implications of heightened solar activity are significant. Researchers suggest that this increase could lead to more frequent solar storms, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections, which may directly affect spacecraft operations and astronaut safety. Furthermore, these space weather events can disrupt power grids, GPS systems, and radio communications on Earth, as outlined by NASA.

Historically, solar activity has fluctuated in approximately 11-year cycles. The current cycle, known as Solar Cycle 25, began in 2020 and follows a prolonged period of inactivity that persisted from the 1980s until 2008. The previous cycle was characterized as the weakest in a century, making the recent uptick in solar activity all the more surprising.

According to NASA, the downward trend in solar activity was so pronounced that scientists had predicted a continuation of what they termed a “deep solar minimum.” However, Jasinski noted, “the trend of declining solar wind ended,” leading to the current increase in solar phenomena. The research team, which included co-author Marco Velli, observed bursts of solar plasma and stronger magnetic field measurements throughout the solar system.

Looking ahead, Solar Cycle 26 is anticipated to begin sometime between January 2029 and December 2032, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The timing of this next cycle remains uncertain, but NASA is taking steps to improve space weather predictions.

To enhance monitoring capabilities, NASA plans to launch the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) and the Carruthers Geocorona Observatory missions, along with NOAA’s SWFO-L1 mission, utilizing the Falcon 9 rocket as early as next week. This initiative follows the successful launch of the TRACERS twin satellites, which are studying the interactions between solar wind and Earth’s magnetic field.

“Space weather predictions are critical for supporting the spacecraft and astronauts of NASA’s Artemis campaign,” the agency stated. Understanding the space environment is essential for mitigating astronaut exposure to space radiation.

In May 2024, NASA recorded the strongest geomagnetic storm in over 20 years, triggered by several X-class solar flares. These flares caused the northern lights to be visible at lower latitudes than usual, as far south as Mexico. Such geomagnetic storms can significantly impact technology, disrupting internet services and communication systems.

Electrical engineer David Wallace elaborated on these risks, emphasizing the potential for widespread technology failures. “Internet service providers could go down, which in turn would take out the ability of different systems to communicate with each other,” Wallace explained. High-frequency communication systems, including ground-to-air and ship-to-shore radio, could also be affected.

As solar activity continues to increase, the implications for technology and human activity on Earth remain a critical focus for researchers and space agencies alike.