Sunspot is Sign of New Solar Cycle
NOAA Warns of Increasing Risk to Electrical Systems
NOAA space weather forecasters have observed the first sunspot of Solar Cycle 24. Solar storms can adversely affect power, radio communication and navigation systems
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced the beginning of a new 11-year cycle of increased solar activity that could increase risk of failure to power grids, communications systems, and GPS navigation signals in a recent press release. The first sunspot marking the beginning of the new solar cycle was observed on 3 January 2008.
What is a Sunspot? - Sunspots are regions of organized magnetic activity that show up as dark splotches on the sun's surface. The number of sunspots visible on the surface of the sun is a measure of solar cycle intensity. As sunspots increase, the likelihood of major solar storms also increases. During these solar storms, highly charged matter from coronal mass ejections and energized protons from solar flares are launched at high speeds towards earth.
What is a Solar Cycle? - The number of visible sunspots on the sun's surface rise and fall in a regular 11-year cycle. This newest cycle is based on the observation of sunspot number 10,981 that is located at a high sun latitude. NOAA began counting individual sunspots in 1972. This is the 24th cycle to be observed and is known as Solar Cycle 24. The number of sunspots will now gradually grow and the maximum number of sunspots and related solar storms should occur sometime after the year 2011.
What is the Effect of Solar Storms? - Energized matter and photons from solar storms strike the earth's ionosphere and magnetic fields. These are the storms that cause northern or southern lights, the auroras. Some impacts include:
- Long stretches of power transmission lines as subject to induction from solar storm energy. These extra electrical loads can overload power grids
- Astronauts working in space can be harmed by solar generated radiation
- Radio communications depend on having unimpeded transmission through the atmosphere. Strong solar storms can effect radio and cell phone transmissions.
- Disruptions to the ionosphere can have a major impact on satellite transmissions of television, telephone and GPS navigation signals
NOAA Administrator Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr. says, “Our growing dependence on highly sophisticated, space-based technologies means we are far more vulnerable to space weather today than in the past. NOAA’s space weather monitoring and forecasts are critical for the nation’s ability to function smoothly during solar disturbances.”
The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) watches for solar activity and is the first line agency responsible for warning of severe solar storms and their consequences. The center provides space weather forecasts that are vital to reliable operation of communication and power systems. The prediction center also serves as the warning agency of an 11-nation consortium known as the International Space Environment Service (ISES).
