Tag

Solar Activity

All articles tagged with #solar activity

Solar Activity Quickens Space Debris Decay in Low Earth Orbit
space14 days ago

Solar Activity Quickens Space Debris Decay in Low Earth Orbit

A 36-year study of 17 debris objects in low Earth orbit shows that when solar activity rises to a certain level, heating of the thermosphere expands the atmosphere and increases drag, causing debris to lose altitude faster. The researchers identify a transition threshold near two-thirds of solar maximum and note stronger extreme ultraviolet emissions around solar peaks, with practical implications for satellite operators who may need more frequent orbit corrections and greater fuel reserves during active solar phases.

Sun's 94-Day 'Monster' Active Region Unleashed Earth-Impacting Space Weather
space4 months ago

Sun's 94-Day 'Monster' Active Region Unleashed Earth-Impacting Space Weather

A 94-day observation of solar active region NOAA 13664 by Solar Orbiter and SDO captured its evolving magnetic field, revealing the Sun's strongest geomagnetic storms in over two decades and causing auroras visible as far south as Switzerland along with disruptions to satellites and railway signaling; the study, published in Astronomy & Astrophysics, marks a major advance in understanding space weather.

NASA's Parker Probe Reveals New Details of the Sun's Dynamic Atmosphere
science5 months ago

NASA's Parker Probe Reveals New Details of the Sun's Dynamic Atmosphere

NASA's Parker Solar Probe captured unprecedented close-up images of the Sun's magnetic activity during its 22nd flyby, revealing new details about magnetic 'tadpoles', the tearing of the heliospheric current sheet, and the formation of magnetic in/out pairs, advancing our understanding of solar phenomena.

India’s Aditya-L1 to Observe Sun’s Peak Activity in 2026
science5 months ago

India’s Aditya-L1 to Observe Sun’s Peak Activity in 2026

India's Aditya-L1 solar mission is poised to observe the Sun during its maximum activity cycle in 2026, a period marked by increased solar storms and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). The mission aims to study these phenomena to better understand solar behavior and improve space weather forecasting, which is crucial for protecting Earth's infrastructure and satellites. Aditya-L1's unique instrumentation allows continuous observation of the Sun's corona, providing valuable data during this intense solar period.