May 22, 2021 10:55 PM
https://www.iflscience.com/space/crewed-...ar-storms/
EXCERPT: . . . The new study, reported in the journal Solar Physics, has found that solar storms will either occur before the maximum or after the maximum depending on if the cycle is an odd or even number. If the cycle is even, solar storms are more likely to occur early in the cycle, and if they are odd-numbered, like Cycle 25, extreme space weather is more likely to occur later ie after the maximum in 2025.
Solar storms affect space weather greatly. They can be a risk to satellites, spacecraft, and astronauts, so such a finding is a warning. Forays away from Earth’s protective magnetic field may come with extra risks depending on which cycle and what year is it.
“Until now, the most extreme space-weather events were thought to be random in their timing and thus little could be done to plan around them,” lead author Professor Mathew Owens, a space physicist at the University of Reading, said in a statement. “However, this research suggests they are more predictable, generally following the same 'seasons' of activity as smaller space-weather events. But they also show some important differences during the most active season, which could help us avoid damaging space-weather effects.”
With this pattern in mind, we should expect more solar storms in the latter half of this decade and this could be a risk for the astronauts that will take part in the Artemis program. The researchers note that any major space missions planned beyond the next five years should take into consideration the higher risk of severe space weather between 2025 and 2030 and plan accordingly... (MORE - missing details)
EXCERPT: . . . The new study, reported in the journal Solar Physics, has found that solar storms will either occur before the maximum or after the maximum depending on if the cycle is an odd or even number. If the cycle is even, solar storms are more likely to occur early in the cycle, and if they are odd-numbered, like Cycle 25, extreme space weather is more likely to occur later ie after the maximum in 2025.
Solar storms affect space weather greatly. They can be a risk to satellites, spacecraft, and astronauts, so such a finding is a warning. Forays away from Earth’s protective magnetic field may come with extra risks depending on which cycle and what year is it.
“Until now, the most extreme space-weather events were thought to be random in their timing and thus little could be done to plan around them,” lead author Professor Mathew Owens, a space physicist at the University of Reading, said in a statement. “However, this research suggests they are more predictable, generally following the same 'seasons' of activity as smaller space-weather events. But they also show some important differences during the most active season, which could help us avoid damaging space-weather effects.”
With this pattern in mind, we should expect more solar storms in the latter half of this decade and this could be a risk for the astronauts that will take part in the Artemis program. The researchers note that any major space missions planned beyond the next five years should take into consideration the higher risk of severe space weather between 2025 and 2030 and plan accordingly... (MORE - missing details)