Thread by @esaoperations

Solar cycle 25: the Sun wakes up🌤️

Experts on the Solar Cycle 25 Prediction Panel recently announced the Sun has officially entered a new cycle, its 25th since we’ve had enough data to reliably recognise them.

👉 esa.int/Safety_Securit…

ESA/NASA SOHO, 2012 - Brendan Gallagher

While we can expect #spaceweather to get more exciting in the next few years, with peak sunspot activity expected in 2025, the panel came to the consensus that this next cycle will be very similar to the previous – both generally weaker than the average solar cycle.

©️NOAA

“While small and medium-sized solar storms are more likely during peak solar activity,” says Jussi Luntama, Head of ESA’s #SpaceWeather Office, “its important to remember that individual large solar events can happen any time, independent of we are in the solar cycle.”

If such solar storms impact Earth, they can create geomagnetic storms in our magnetosphere. While good news for aurora hunters, these storms can disrupt and damage power grids on Earth and satellites in orbit, and the vital services they provide.

#SpaceSafety💙

Find out what ESA's #SpaceWeather Office is doing to protect us from our temperamental star 👉esa.int/Safety_Securit…

#SolarWarning🚨
#LagrangeMission🛰️