Will Earth be safe from deadly solar storms? When will that happen?

Ever since the beginning of 2022, the Earth has been plagued by continuous and intense solar storms. According to data by SpaceWeatherLive, there have been more than 50 solar storms which were at least M2 class or above in just this year so far. These solar storms have disrupted GPS systems and caused navigation obstructions for planes, ships and shortwave radio operators. And that is not the worst they can do. Examples of the Carrington event in 1859 and the Halloween solar storm in 2003 show a glimpse of how destructive these fiery solar radiations can be. But why has solar storms been causing problems for us so much this year and will there be an end anytime soon? Read on to find out.

Why has the Sun producing so many solar storms

The Sun undergoes solar cycles which last about 11 years. It is categorized on the basis of varying solar activity that takes place on its surface. Every solar cycle has a peak and a trough. The peak is called Solar Maximum and is denoted by the highest solar activity. During this period the Sun produces a large number of sunspots and has continuous solar flare eruptions, which send out CME in space and when they hit the Earth, it causes solar storms. On the other hand, during the trough period, known as the Solar Minimum, the solar activity remains at its lowest and sunspots are barely seen. It is not known why this period is 11 years long or why the Sun undergoes such cycles.

However, right now the Sun has entered its 25th solar cycle and in 2023, it will hit its peak when both the number as well as the intensity of the solar storms will be at its highest.

Will the solar onslaught ever stop

Once the Sun hits its peak in 2023, the nuclear explosions on its surface as well as the number of sunspots will reduce. And then till 2030, the number of such incidents will keep reducing till the Sun hits its Solar Minimum. After that, the 26th solar cycle will begin.