Early signs of next solar cycle detected in the sun’s sound waves
Researchers have detected the first signs of the Sun’s next 11-year solar cycle, even though it is only halfway through its current cycle. This discovery was made through sound waves within the Sun, according to a team from the University of Birmingham.
The current solar cycle nearing its peak
The current solar cycle, known as Cycle 25, began in 2019 and is reaching its peak, or solar maximum, which will last until mid-2025. During this period, the Sun’s magnetic field flips, causing its poles to swap places. This peak phase sees an increase in solar activity, including sunspots, flares, and coronal mass ejections, which boost the electromagnetic energy directed towards Earth, making auroras more visible and at lower altitudes.
First signs of cycle 26 emerging
Although Cycle 25 is not expected to end for another six years, researchers from the University of Birmingham have already spotted early indications of the next solar cycle. These findings were presented at the Royal Astronomical Society’s National Astronomy Meeting in Hull.
Dr. Rachel Howe, a Helioseismology Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham, and her team detected early signs of Solar Cycle 26 through internal sound waves within the Sun. These sound waves revealed bands of faster and slower rotation, which are key indicators of the upcoming solar cycle.
Detecting solar cycles through sound waves
The team observed this pattern using helioseismic data from GONG, MDI, and HMI, which has been collected since 1995. The data showed faster-moving material drifting toward the equator before each solar cycle starts. By comparing data from Solar Cycles 23, 24, and 25, researchers identified a repeating, albeit not identical, pattern.
Dr. Howe, who has been monitoring these changes for 25 years, expressed excitement about the first hints of Cycle 26. Expected to begin around 2030, this new cycle offers valuable insights into the Sun’s plasma and magnetic fields.
“Finding these early signs of the next solar cycle is like discovering the first green shoots of spring,” Dr. Howe said. “It gives us a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics within the Sun and helps us anticipate the changes in solar activity that can impact our planet.”