Scientists Just Watched the Sun Do Something It’s Never Done Before, and Earth Paid the Price
The Daily Galaxy • • science
Key Points:
- Researchers tracked the solar active region NOAA 13664 continuously for 94 days, capturing its full lifecycle and magnetic evolution using data from ESA’s Solar Orbiter and NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory.
- NOAA 13664 produced the strongest geomagnetic storms Earth has experienced in over 20 years, causing disruptions to satellites, digital agriculture systems, and railway signal operations in May 2024.
- The Solar Orbiter’s unique orbit allowed early detection of NOAA 13664 on the Sun’s far side, enabling scientists to observe three complete solar rotations and unprecedented magnetic field changes.
- The intense and complex magnetic field of NOAA 13664 led to powerful solar flares, including a major eruption on May 20, 2024, highlighting the challenges
