spacetoday.net: Next sunspot cycle predicted to be intense

Posted: Tue, Mar 7, 2006, 2:09 PM ET (1909 GMT)
Solar flare of Sept. 9 2005 (NOAA)

Space scientists announced Monday that they expect the next cycle of sunspots and associated solar activity to be as much as 50 percent stronger than the most recent one. Researchers used a model of solar activity that predicted the previous eight 11-year cycles with 98% accuracy to conclude that the upcoming cycle, which will peak in 2012, will start as much as a year late and be 30-50% stronger than the previous cycle. Periods of high sunspot counts are associated with strong solar activity, including storms that can disrupt power and communications systems on Earth and create brilliant auroral displays. The Sun is currently at a minima in its activity cycle, with virtually no sunspots observed on the Sun in the last several weeks.