Forecasting space weather is the next step in the exploration of outer space, scientists say. At the peak of its activity, the solar magnetic field is so strong that it sweeps out galactic cosmic rays from our solar system, affecting all human-built systems in orbit.
Scientists from Moscow's Skolkovo Institute of Techology (Skoltech), the University of Graz and the Royal Observatory of Belgium developed a method that makes it possible to forecast the strength of the next 11-year solar cycle far in advance of what was previously thought possible.
"Space weather is the science of the future," said Tatyana Podladchikova, a Skoltech professor and the study’s lead author. "It’s what unites us all, makes our lives better and allows us to take care of our planet."
Each solar cycle has a number, and we are now approaching the nadir of the 24th cycle of solar activity. Once the current solar cycle peaks and the magnetic poles of the Sun swap places, we’ll know how strong the next 11-year cycle will be.
The study revealed that solar activity in the declining phase of a cycle impacts the strength of the following cycle. In the declining phase, fewer sunspots appear on the Sun, which can help us understand activity in the next cycle.
According to the forecast, future solar activity will be low and the strength of the next, 25th cycle of solar activity will be even lower than the current one. The results of the study were published in The Astrophysical Journal.