NASA - The Sun's Magnetic Field is About to Flip

[Ellirium113]

The Sun's magnetic field is about to flip

"It looks like we're no more than 3 to 4 months away from a complete field reversal," says solar physicist Todd Hoeksema of Stanford University. "This change will have ripple effects throughout the solar system."

The sun's magnetic field changes polarity approximately every 11 years. It happens at the peak of each solar cycle as the sun's inner magnetic dynamo re-organizes itself. The coming reversal will mark the midpoint of Solar Cycle 24. Half of 'Solar Max' will be behind us, with half yet to come.

http://phys.org/news/2013-08-sun-magnetic-field-flip.html

[robomont]

it feels like we have been in solar max for ten years.my local lake hasnt been full for six years.

[The Seeker]

So, it happens every 11 years; is there some reason in particular to make this one special?


seeker

[Ellirium113]

This one occurs in the solar cycle 24 which I think is supposed to mean the sun is at it's strongest plus the solar maximum occuring at the end of the 11 years in conjunction with the pole reversal will make some interesting space weather. All in all I think it will just be another day.

[Gigas]

I'm kinda hoping it gets real messy so this world can know how vulnerable it really is

[sky otter]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/06/suns-magnetic-field-flip-reverse-complete-reversal_n_3713773.html?utm_hp_ref=science


Sun's Magnetic Field To Flip In Complete Reversal That Will Have 'Ripple Effects'
The Huffington Post  |  By Sara Gates Posted: 08/06/2013 1:55 pm EDT


Get ready, Earth. The sun's magnetic field is about to do a 180 when the celestial body's electromagnetism flips and changes polarity.

According to NASA-supported observations, the complete reversal is expected to take place in the coming months.

"It looks like we're no more than three to four months away from a complete field reversal," Todd Hoeksema, a solar physicist and director of Stanford University's Wilcox Solar Observatory, said in a statement released by the agency. "This change will have ripple effects throughout the solar system."

So should we be concerned about the reversal of the sun's magnetic field?

History says no.

While the field reversal is a big event for the solar system, the change in polarity is rather routine. The magnetic flip takes place at the peak of each solar cycle every 11 years. Nearing the mid-point of the sun's 24th solar cycle, the star's south pole will soon follow the north's lead and change its magnetic sign.

The change in polarity will have certain effects throughout the heliosphere -- the sun's domain, which extends well beyond Pluto -- but, as NASA notes in its ScienceCasts video, one of the largest effects Earth can expect is some stormy space weather around the planet. Astronauts in orbit may also see some changes in cosmic rays, which could be a potential danger.

The 11-year cycle governs the level of solar activity on the sun. This year, during the peak of the cycle when solar activity is the strongest, the flip will be accompanied by increased levels of turbulence, such as sunspots.

However, as solar physicists have pointed out, 2013's cycle peak has turned out to be one of the weakest observed in the past century, with relatively minimal activity.

Watch NASA's ScienceCasts video below for a thorough explanation of the magnetic field reversal.

[zorgon]

Hmmmmm seems this happens like clock work every 11 years...

That means I have lived through 5.6 of them...

Don't recall ever noticing anything amiss

[The Seeker]

Hmmmmm seems this happens like clock work every 11 years...

That means I have lived through 5.6 of them...

Don't recall ever noticing anything amiss

My point exzackly, Herr Viceroy; what makes this one any different than all the others...


seeker

[1Worldwatcher]

My point exzackly, Herr Viceroy; what makes this one any different than all the others...
seeker

This one is happening in 2013, the year after after the 2012 Mayan end of days thwarted catastrophe Seeker!!

The Suns cycles will be doing this long after we are gone, but, if there is a difference to be recognized, the Sun is Cosmically older!!

Check out SOHO images, beautiful too watch.

1WW

[Amaterasu]

So, it happens every 11 years; is there some reason in particular to make this one special?


seeker

I was thinking the same thing!