The sun should be close to its explosive climax but scientists have observed that its rays are less powerful than expected. Instead, its feebleness is beneficial in easing the effects of global warming.
While spinning, the sun produces massive magnetic fields. These are discernible through sunspots which are larger than the Earth's diameter. These magnetic fields when gearing towards the Earth often cause sudden solar flares that usually cause satellites to short-circuit, cellular signals affected and electrical systems to break down.
Solar physicists say that the sun was expected to be nearing its 11-year-cycle's explosive climax known as the " solar maximum" but they were surprised at the development of the supposed maximum solar activity of the sun, which is generating a lot less than 50 percent of the expected sunspots.
"It is not just that there are fewer sunspots, but they are less active sunspots," solar physicist Dr. Karel Schrijver told the Wall Street Journal.
Moreover, the magnetic reversal during this cycle is one of the strangest ever recorded. The magnetic poles of the sun are out of sync wherein the north magnetic pole of the sun changed polarity over a year ago which makes its polarity the same with its south pole.
In a typical solar activity cycle, the magnetic poles reverse polarity approximately every 11 years. During this time, the magnetic fields in the north and south poles wane, reach zero until it resurfaces with the reverse polarity. This is a signal that the solar maximum is at its highest point.
The sun remains active and in fact has radiated immense flows of charged specks in space several times during the earlier month and the past week. It is remarkable however that the power exhibited during these flashes is only a small percentage compared to previous explosive climaxes.
The scientists are all perplexed at this unusual sun activity. They are uncertain how long the stillness and weak activity will last or if it signifies a long period of decline. Although they do not have clear answers, they believe that this odd feebleness of the sun will be helpful in easing the effects of global warming because of less radiation from its faint light.
However according to Solar Physics Group Head David Hathawayof NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, said "It may give us a brief respite from global warming. But it is not going to stop it."
