London - The solar system could experience “ripple effects” in the next few weeks when the sun’s magnetic field flips as its north and south poles change sides.
The phenomenon, which happens once every 11 years, could cause intergalactic weather fronts such as geomagnetic storms, which can interfere with satellites and cause radio blackouts.
During the 11-year solar cycle, sunspots appear as blotches near the equator of the sun’s surface where there is intense magnetic activity.
Over a month, these spots disintegrate and magnetic activity migrates from the equator to one of the sun’s poles. This erodes the existing opposite polarity.
Todd Hoeksema, a scientist at Stanford University’s Wilcox Solar Observatory, said: “It’s kind of like a tide coming in or going out. Each little wave brings a little more water in, and eventually you get to the full reversal.”
Observations show the sun technically has two south poles now as the process is in progress.
Phil Scherrer, who works with Mr Hoeksema at the observatory, said: “The north pole has already changed sign, while the south pole is racing to catch up. Soon, both poles will be reversed.”
During the swap, solar flares can interact with Earth’s magnetic field, leading to a surge in auroras or disruption to radio and satellite communication. - Daily Mail