The scientists are puzzled to observe that the Sun has started another solar cycle without completing the current one.&nbsp;

It appears to be moving ahead of its time as solar cycle 25 has been only halfway through and solar cycle 26 has only started.

<h2>Here's why the Sun has started another solar cycle</h2>

Research fellow at the&nbsp;University of Birmingham Dr&nbsp;Rachel Howe, who was working with international analysts, spotted this change in the solar cycle while tracking the internal sound waves of the sun and their contribution to its rotation cycle.

The activity cycle of the Sun, which is called the solar cycle, ends in approximately 11 years. The solar cycle goes like a celestial rollercoaster and then reaches ‘solar maximum’ which represents the peak of its activity.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/strictly-speaking-earth-is-not-revolving-around-the-sun-currently-heres-what-it-means-740359">Strictly speaking, Earth is not revolving around the Sun currently. Here's what it means</a>

In this phase, scientists have observed an increase in sunspots, solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which marks a phase of heightened solar phenomena.

When it reaches the solar maximum, the magnetic field of the Sun undergoes a polar flip, similar to swapping poles.&nbsp;

In this natural process, the space weather was influenced and is likely to have significant impacts on the magnetic field and satellite operations of the Earth.

As of now, Sun is in Cycle 25 which started in 2019 and is not likely to end at least for another six years.

Dr Howe and her research team were left puzzled to have found that the subsequent solar cycle Cycle 26's preliminary signs appear to be emerging earlier&nbsp;it was expected.

These indicators included subtle shifts in the magnetic field of the Sun and the formation of new sunspots, which include the arrival of the next cycle.

Watch:&nbsp;The danger posed by Chinese space debris

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These observations have left the scientists puzzled as to what this premature activity hints at.&nbsp;

<h2>How will the early solar cycle impact Earth?</h2>

If the Sun actually starts its 26th cycle early, scientists are trying to understand if there will be frequent displays of the Northern and Southern lights or if it will lead to more significant solar-related phenomena.

“With more data, I hope we can understand more about the part these flows play in the intricate dance of plasma and magnetic fields that form the solar cycle,” Dr Howe said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The scientists are puzzled to observe that the Sun has started another solar cycle without completing the current one. It appears to be moving ahead of its time as solar cycle 25 has been only halfway through and solar cycle 26 has only started.

The scientists are puzzled to observe that the Sun has started another solar cycle without completing the current one. It appears to be moving ahead of its time as solar cycle 25 has been only halfway through and solar cycle 26 has only started. Here's why the Sun has started another solar cycle Research fellow at the University of Birmingham Dr Rachel Howe, who was working with international analysts, spotted this change in the solar cycle while tracking the internal sound waves of the sun and their contribution to its rotation cycle. The activity cycle of the Sun, which is called the solar cycle, ends in approximately 11 years. The solar cycle goes like a celestial rollercoaster and then reaches ‘solar maximum’ which represents the peak of its activity. Also Read: Strictly speaking, Earth is not revolving around the Sun currently. Here's what it means In this phase, scientists have observed an increase in sunspots, solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which marks a phase of heightened solar phenomena. When it reaches the solar maximum, the magnetic field of the Sun undergoes a polar flip, similar to swapping poles. In this natural process, the space weather was influenced and is likely to have significant impacts on the magnetic field and satellite operations of the Earth. As of now, Sun is in Cycle 25 which started in 2019 and is not likely to end at least for another six years. Dr Howe and her research team were left puzzled to have found that the subsequent solar cycle Cycle 26's preliminary signs appear to be emerging earlier it was expected. These indicators included subtle shifts in the magnetic field of the Sun and the formation of new sunspots, which include the arrival of the next cycle. Watch: The danger posed by Chinese space debris These observations have left the scientists puzzled as to what this premature activity hints at. How will the early solar cycle impact Earth? If the Sun actually starts its 26th cycle early, scientists are trying to understand if there will be frequent displays of the Northern and Southern lights or if it will lead to more significant solar-related phenomena. “With more data, I hope we can understand more about the part these flows play in the intricate dance of plasma and magnetic fields that form the solar cycle,” Dr Howe said. (With inputs from agencies)

Sun starts next solar cycle, without completing current one. Here's how it will impact Earth

The sun's volatile activity peaked late Tuesday when the colossal sunspot AR3664 unleashed a massive solar flare, the most powerful eruption of the current solar cycle. Watch in for more details!

Sun launches strongest Solar flare of its current 11-year cycle

It wouldn’t be wrong to call 2024 the year when our star, the gigantic Sun, is having its moment. With immense changes in its solar structure due to the upcoming solar maximum, the internal changes going on with the Sun will soon have an impact on Earth and other planets in the solar system.

Recently, scientists noticed that a hyperactive sunspot, first detected on February 18, is now swelling at a faster rate and is pointed right towards Earth. What does this mean?

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So, sunspots are large areas on the surface of the Sun where the magnetic field is about 2500 times stronger than Earth’s, also much higher than anywhere on the Sun. These spots appear darker than the surrounding area, like the one shown in the picture here.

<img alt="Sunspot" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="74f4ec72-416b-44d0-9acc-6a966018d558" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/NASA%27s_SDO_Observes_Largest_Sunspot_of_the_Solar_Cycle_%2815430820129%29_0.jpg" />

These sunspots appear where the Sun is most active internally, and their number varies according to the approximately 11-year solar cycle.&nbsp;

<h2>Biggest sunspot of 2024 is now pointing directly at Earth</h2>

In 2024, the biggest sunspot named AR3590 first appeared on February 18, on the Sun’s Earth-facing side. It quickly started swelling into a dark patch, much wider than our planet.&nbsp;

On February 21, AR3950 spit out a pair of X-class solar flares, which are known as the most powerful type of solar flare, with magnitudes of X1.7 and X1.8.

On February 22, the same sunspot released a massive X6.3 flare, the most powerful solar explosion recorded in over six years.

All three flares caused temporary radio blackouts on Earth, but none of them launched coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which are clouds of magnetised plasma that can ram into Earth's magnetic shield as they fly through space.&nbsp;

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If any of these explosions had launched a CME at Earth, the resulting plasma clouds could have triggered severe geomagnetic storm disturbances in Earth's magnetic field that can trigger solar radiation to impact ground-based infrastructure, trigger stunning aurora displays and cause satellites to tumble back to Earth.

Since the triple X-class flares, AR3590 has continued to grow, almost doubling in size. It is now one of the largest sunspots of the current solar cycle, which began in 2019, Spaceweather.com reported.

According to Spaceweather.com, initial expectations of intensified solar activity in the sunspot's magnetic field, potentially leading to X-class solar eruptions, have yet to materialise. Instead, there have been only a few minor M-class flares observed since the triple flares occurred. This indicates the possibility of the sunspot accumulating energy for a larger eruption.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/quite-the-photographer-us-lunar-spacecraft-odysseus-shares-new-pictures-it-is-expected-to-go-dark-soon-694602">'Quite the photographer': US lunar spacecraft Odysseus shares new pictures; it is expected to go dark soon</a>

Spaceweather.com notes that the immense sunspot is presently oriented in a manner that aligns it closely with Earth. Consequently, should another substantial X-class flare occur, there is a heightened risk of our planet being directly affected by associated coronal mass ejections (CMEs).

Though AR3590 is not large enough to trigger a dangerous type of solar storm, even if it released a CME that was half as powerful, it could still cause serious problems. And there is a high possibility of this happening in reality.

(With inputs from agencies)

It wouldn’t be wrong to call 2024 the year when our star, the gigantic Sun, is having its moment. With immense changes in its solar structure due to the upcoming solar maximum, the internal changes going on with the Sun will soon have an impact on Earth and other planets in the solar system.

It wouldn’t be wrong to call 2024 the year when our star, the gigantic Sun, is having its moment. With immense changes in its solar structure due to the upcoming solar maximum, the internal changes going on with the Sun will soon have an impact on Earth and other planets in the solar system. Recently, scientists noticed that a hyperactive sunspot, first detected on February 18, is now swelling at a faster rate and is pointed right towards Earth. What does this mean? Also Read | Vaping: E-cigarette chemicals may heighten Covid susceptibility, new study reveals So, sunspots are large areas on the surface of the Sun where the magnetic field is about 2500 times stronger than Earth’s, also much higher than anywhere on the Sun. These spots appear darker than the surrounding area, like the one shown in the picture here. These sunspots appear where the Sun is most active internally, and their number varies according to the approximately 11-year solar cycle. Biggest sunspot of 2024 is now pointing directly at Earth In 2024, the biggest sunspot named AR3590 first appeared on February 18, on the Sun’s Earth-facing side. It quickly started swelling into a dark patch, much wider than our planet. On February 21, AR3950 spit out a pair of X-class solar flares, which are known as the most powerful type of solar flare, with magnitudes of X1.7 and X1.8. On February 22, the same sunspot released a massive X6.3 flare, the most powerful solar explosion recorded in over six years. All three flares caused temporary radio blackouts on Earth, but none of them launched coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which are clouds of magnetised plasma that can ram into Earth's magnetic shield as they fly through space. Also Read | 'Porpoise-ful' mistake: Porpoises, not methane, may be responsible for mysterious pits in North Sea If any of these explosions had launched a CME at Earth, the resulting plasma clouds could have triggered severe geomagnetic storm disturbances in Earth's magnetic field that can trigger solar radiation to impact ground-based infrastructure, trigger stunning aurora displays and cause satellites to tumble back to Earth. Since the triple X-class flares, AR3590 has continued to grow, almost doubling in size. It is now one of the largest sunspots of the current solar cycle, which began in 2019, Spaceweather.com reported. According to Spaceweather.com, initial expectations of intensified solar activity in the sunspot's magnetic field, potentially leading to X-class solar eruptions, have yet to materialise. Instead, there have been only a few minor M-class flares observed since the triple flares occurred. This indicates the possibility of the sunspot accumulating energy for a larger eruption. Also Read | 'Quite the photographer': US lunar spacecraft Odysseus shares new pictures; it is expected to go dark soon Spaceweather.com notes that the immense sunspot is presently oriented in a manner that aligns it closely with Earth. Consequently, should another substantial X-class flare occur, there is a heightened risk of our planet being directly affected by associated coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Though AR3590 is not large enough to trigger a dangerous type of solar storm, even if it released a CME that was half as powerful, it could still cause serious problems. And there is a high possibility of this happening in reality. (With inputs from agencies)

Massive sunspot wider than Earth is now aiming directly at us. Is it cause for worry?

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