The Sun’s magnetic poles are about to reverse. And experts worry about what might happen first

JVTech News The Sun’s magnetic poles are about to reverse. And experts worry about what might happen first

A regular solar event?

In early 2024, surprising news is emerging in the universe: the Sun is preparing to experience a complete magnetic reversal of its poles. This means that its North Pole will become its South Pole and vice versa. At first glance, this possibility seems terrifying, even apocalyptic, but experts assure that it will not go unnoticed.

This event, called a magnetic reversal, is a solar cycle that occurs approximately every 11 years. This is the period during which solar activity, driven by the Sun’s magnetic field, varies in intensity. This cycle reaches its peak, which marks the reversal of the poles, increasing the presence of larger and more intense sunspots. However, it is not so much the magnetic reversal that worries experts, but what might happen before it.

And for the earth?

This maximum phase of solar activity, characterized by solar flares and coronal mass ejections, affects Earth. The interaction between the Sun and our planet can influence Earth’s climate, albeit slightly. In the current context, where the Earth’s energy balance continues to grow abnormally, any additional energy injection could further disrupt our climate.

Along with the possibility of blackouts comes the question of electromagnetic protection. Earth benefits from its own magnetic field, which acts as a protective shield for our atmosphere and technology. Since the Carrington incident of 1859, when a telegraph cable was on the verge of melting due to solar flares, we know that our technology and the sun don’t always mix.

However, unlike 1859, our current reliance on technology complicates this interaction. A general outage is at once a serious and speculative subject. In 2008, the United States National Academy of Sciences published a report examining the consequences of a Carrington-like event occurring today. The findings were alarming, predicting unprecedented disruptions in global social, political and economic functioning.

Although there is currently no indication of an imminent threat, the possibility of a significant solar event remains uncertain. An increase in solar activity every eleven years, marked by minor and major solar storms, has raised concerns among experts. Even small solar storms are a concern in a society increasingly dependent on satellites.

The ultimate goal is to strengthen our preparedness for potential solar disturbances and ensure the stability of our technological systems in the face of the vagaries of our star.