Solar Cycle Update Updated predictions from NASA scientists place the solar maximum in mid-2000. Beginning in late September, a continuing series of minor to moderate geomagnetic storms have triggered aurorae along the northern tier of U.S states and may have affected some public power systems operating at high northern latitudes. These events were caused by high-speed material streaming out from areas on the sun known as coronal holes. This week we can expect more of the same as another coronal hole rotates into position to send high-speed solar wind particles toward our planet. Space weather forecasters expect moderate levels of aurorae, shortwave radio disruptions, and power grid fluctuations at high latitudes for at least the next three days.
Prominences are loops of magnetic fields with hot gas trapped inside.
Sometimes, as the fields become unstable, the prominence will erupt as this one did and become part of a coronal mass ejection. Beautiful prominences like these become more common as we approach solar maximum. The recent increase in geomagnetic activity offers a taste of things to come as the Sun approaches the maximum of its 11-year sunspot cycle. As sunspot numbers mount, coronal mass ejections and solar wind disturbances will trigger more and more geomagnetic storms. In extreme cases, these storms can induce electric currents in the earth and oceans that interfere with electric power transmission equipment.