The sun is nearing its "solar maximum," expected in July 2025, which marks the peak of its 11-year activity cycle.
Harvard astrophysicist Dr. Jonathan McDowell warns that future solar storms could be significantly more powerful within the next couple of years.
Last weekend's solar storm caused an intense display of the northern lights in unusual locations like northern California.
The storm disrupted satellite-connected equipment, such as GPS systems, affecting operations like farming in Nebraska.
The current period poses increased risks for satellite operators, with more satellites being pulled down compared to the previous decade.
Elon Musk’s Starlink reported "degraded service" but managed to weather the intense geomagnetic storm.
NASA’s Chandra X-ray telescope observatory, where Dr. McDowell works, took steps to protect sensitive instruments during the flare.
Predicting major solar storms involves tracking sunspots, and efforts are ongoing to improve forecasting accuracy.