Solar maximum
Solar maximum or solar max is the period of greatest solar activity in the solar cycle of the sun. During solar maxima, large numbers of sunspots appear.[1]
A solar maximum is the period when the sun's magnetic field lines are the most distorted due to the magnetic field on the solar equator rotating at a slightly faster pace than at the solar poles[citation needed]. The solar cycle takes an average of about 11 years to go from one solar maximum to the next, with an observed variation in duration of 9 to 14 years for any given solar cycle.
For more detailed explanation of solar cycles, see Solar variation.
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[edit] Historic maxima
The last solar maximum was in 2000. The next solar maximum is currently predicted to occur in February 2013 and to be one of the weakest cycles since 1928.[2]
The unreliability of solar maxima predictions is demonstrated in that NASA had previously predicted the solar maximum for 2010/2011 and possibly to occur as late as 2012. Previously, on March 10, 2006, NASA researchers had announced that the next solar maximum would be the strongest since the historic maximum in 1859 in which the northern lights could be seen as far south as Rome, approximately 42° north of the equator, [3] by 2011, this appeared to be incorrect. In fact, the solar maximum will be a fairly weak one. [4]
[edit] Film
There is an IMAX documentary about solar maxima called Solarmax.
[edit] See also
- Solar cycle 24
- Solar minimum
- List of solar cycles – table of solar cycles
- Solar Maximum Mission
[edit] References
- ^ http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=37575
- ^ NASA Solar Cycle Prediction[1], Accessed 03 Jan. 2012
- ^ "Solar Storm Warning", Science@NASA, 10 March 2006, Accessed 26 Mar. 2010
- ^ [2], Accessed 09 Nov. 2011
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