On October 21, 2024, scientists confirmed that the Sun has entered the maximum phase of its 11-year solar cycle, marking a peak in solar activity. This phase is characterized by an increase in sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections, with heightened frequency and intensity.
The current solar maximum will last approximately one year and is part of Solar Cycle 25, which began in 2019 and is expected to conclude in 2030. Enhanced observational capabilities from both ground-based and space-based telescopes allow for more detailed studies of the Sun than during the previous maximum in 2014.
Key instruments include the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope in Hawaii, the Parker Solar Probe, and the Solar Orbiter. The Parker Solar Probe, the fastest spacecraft ever built, will make its closest approach to the Sun at a distance of 6.9 million kilometers in December 2024, providing unprecedented data on solar activity.
Meanwhile, the Solar Orbiter will explore the magnetic fields at the Sun's poles and capture high-resolution images from a greater distance. This mission aims to improve understanding of the solar wind and coronal mass ejections that can impact Earth.
The Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope has already delivered remarkable images, including a sunspot larger than Earth, and is expected to yield even more data during this solar maximum. These observations are crucial for addressing longstanding questions about solar behavior and its effects on space weather.