NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will discuss predictions for the upcoming solar cycle during a media teleconference at 1 p.m. EDT Tuesday, Sept. 15. Tracking the solar cycle is a key part of better understanding the Sun and mitigating its impacts on human technology and infrastructure.
During the teleconference, experts on the Solar Cycle 25 Prediction Panel will discuss recent updates in solar cycle progress, and the forecast for the upcoming cycle, Solar Cycle 25.
The Sun goes through regular cycles of activity lasting approximately 11 years. During the most active part of the cycle, known as solar maximum, the Sun can unleash immense explosions of light, energy, and solar radiation all of which create conditions known as space weather. Space weather can affect satellites and astronauts in space, as well as communications systems such as radio and GPS and power grids on Earth. When the Sun is most active, space weather events become more frequent.
The teleconference audio will stream live at:
Participants in the call will be:
- Doug Biesecker, solar physicist at NOAAs Space Weather Prediction Center and co-chair, Solar Cycle 25 Prediction Panel
- Jake Bleacher, chief exploration scientist in NASAs Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate
- Lika Guhathakurta, program scientist in NASAs Heliophysics Division
- Elsayed Talaat, director of the Office of Projects, Planning, and Analysis for NOAA Satellites
- Lisa Upton, solar scientist with the Space Systems Research Corporation and co-chair of the Solar Cycle 25 Prediction Panel
