00:00 The sun is approaching its solar maximum, the apex of its 11-year solar cycle.
00:08 As it approaches that, as we've seen over the last couple of years, we can expect more
00:12 and greater activity from our solar system's center.
00:15 But that's the thing, this solar cycle might be far more intense than anyone expected.
00:20 Just last year a coronal mass ejection from the sun came into contact with our planet.
00:24 While the resulting auroras were especially beautiful, it also increased the air density
00:28 in the upper atmosphere.
00:29 This caused issues with a SpaceX Starlink launch, causing them to lose some 38 of the
00:34 49 satellites they attempted to put into orbit.
00:37 Experts say that the last solar cycle was a relatively weak one, perhaps throwing off
00:41 predictions for this current cycle.
00:43 In fact, this graphic from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows the predicted
00:47 solar activity as a gray curve.
00:49 Meanwhile, the actual activity is graphed in dots, revealing an increasing level of
00:54 activity from the sun.
00:55 And we're still years away from the solar maximum in 2025.
00:59 So what's going to happen when the sun reaches its apex?
01:01 Well, we'll just have to wait and see.
01:04 [MUSIC PLAYING]
01:07 (upbeat music)
