What makes the magnetic field of the Sun reverse every 11 years?

The sun’s magnetic field changes polarity approximately every 11 years during the peak of each solar cycle as the sun’s inner dynamo reorganizes itself. This next reversal—which will be only the fourth observed since tracking began in 1976—will mark the midpoint of Solar Cycle 24.

What happens to the Sun’s poles every 11 years?

The Short Answer: The Sun’s magnetic field goes through a cycle, called the solar cycle. Every 11 years or so, the Sun’s magnetic field completely flips. This means that the Sun’s north and south poles switch places.

What happens during the maximum 11 year magnetic cycle of the Sun?

Every 11 years the Sun’s magnetic cycle ramps up into overdrive. At the height of this cycle, known as solar maximum, the Sun’s magnetic poles flip. Along the way, changes in the Sun’s magnetism produce a greater number of sunspots, more energy and cause solar eruptions of particles.

Why do magnetic field reversals happen?

The reversals take place when iron molecules in Earth’s spinning outer core start going in the opposite direction as other iron molecules around them. During this process, Earth’s magnetic field, which protects the planet from hot sun particles and solar radiation, becomes weaker.

Does the sun change polarity every 11 years?

Unlike the Earth however, the Sun’s global dipole magnetic field flips or reverses polarity every 11 years around the maximum phase of each 11 year solar cycle. During the reversal, the polarity of the solar polar fields in both hemispheres reverses or changes to the opposite polarity.

How many times has the magnetic field reversed?

Reversal occurrences are statistically random. There have been 183 reversals over the last 83 million years (on average once every ~450,000 years). The latest, the Brunhes–Matuyama reversal, occurred 780,000 years ago, with widely varying estimates of how quickly it happened.

What happens with magnetic pole reversal?

During a pole reversal, the magnetic field weakens, but it doesn’t completely disappear. The magnetosphere, together with Earth’s atmosphere, continue protecting Earth from cosmic rays and charged solar particles, though there may be a small amount of particulate radiation that makes it down to Earth’s surface.

How often do magnetic reversals occur?

These reversals are random with no apparent periodicity to their occurrence. They can happen as often as every 10 thousand years or so and as infrequently as every 50 million years or more. The last reversal was about 780,000 years ago.

What happens if the magnetic field reverses?

A flipped magnetic field could seriously disrupt communications systems and power grids. It could also produce multiple north and south poles, and birds, whales and other migratory animals that use the field to establish a sense of direction could encounter problems.

How often does the sun magnetic field reverse?

every 11 years
Unlike the Earth however, the Sun’s global dipole magnetic field flips or reverses polarity every 11 years around the maximum phase of each 11 year solar cycle.

How does the Sun’s magnetic field change?

During what is known as the solar cycle, the magnetic field of the Sun has reversed every 11 years over the past centuries. This flip, where the south magnetic pole switches to north and vice versa, occurs during the peak of each solar cycle and originates from a process called a “dynamo”.

Should we be worried about the solar field reversal?

The field reversal is nothing to worry about, Scherrer and Hoeksema stress; it won’t spawn any big solar storms or otherwise cause problems for people here on Earth. Its chief effect on us, in fact, will likely be beneficial.

What is a solar flip and how does it happen?

This flip, where the south magnetic pole switches to north and vice versa, occurs during the peak of each solar cycle and originates from a process called a “dynamo”. Magnetic fields are generated by a dynamo, which involves the rotation of the star as well as convection and the rising and falling of hot gas in the star’s interior.

What will happen when the Sun’s two hemispheres are reversed?

As the field reversal approaches, data from Wilcox show that the sun’s two hemispheres are out of synch. “The sun’s north pole has already changed sign, while the south pole is racing to catch up,” Scherrer said. “Soon, however, both poles will be reversed, and the second half of solar max will be underway.”