solar maximum
Quick Summary
The solar cycle is an approximately 11-year period of fluctuations in the Sun's activity, most notably in the number and size of sunspots and solar prominences. This cycle is driven by changes in the Sun's magnetic fields.123
The period of highest solar activity within this cycle is known as the solar maximum. During solar maximum, phenomena like coronal mass ejections (CMEs) occur more frequently and intensely. These CMEs are large eruptions of plasma from the Sun's corona that can impact Earth, causing space weather events such as geomagnetic storms. The solar cycle also influences the Sun's magnetic polarities, which reverse approximately every 11 years, leading to a full magnetic cycle of 22 years.341
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
space weatherSpace weather phenomena…several-year period known as the solar maximum. Between solar maxima there is a several-year period, called the solar minimum, when the Sun’s activity can be extremely low. The solar minimum that began in approximately 2007 and reached its lowest point in December 2008 was the deepest minimum in at least…
Read More…several-year period known as the solar maximum. Between solar maxima there is a several-year period, called the solar minimum, when the Sun’s activity can be extremely low. The solar minimum that began in approximately 2007 and reached its lowest point in December 2008 was the deepest minimum in at least…
Read More- space weatherAtmospheric satellite drag
Between solar minimum and solar maximum, the temperature of the thermosphere roughly doubles. The upper atmosphere extends farther during solar maximum, and its density at any given altitude increases. In general, a satellite must have an altitude of at least 200 km (120 miles); otherwise, the high thermospheric density…
Read MoreBetween solar minimum and solar maximum, the temperature of the thermosphere roughly doubles. The upper atmosphere extends farther during solar maximum, and its density at any given altitude increases. In general, a satellite must have an altitude of at least 200 km (120 miles); otherwise, the high thermospheric density…
Read More