Every 11 years, the Sun undergoes a magnetic pole flip, leading to increased solar activity such as sunspots, solar flares, and mesmerizing northern and southern lights. The current solar cycle, known as ‘solar cycle 25,’ began in 2019 and is expected to peak around 2024 or 2025 before returning to lower activity levels in the early 2030s.

The 11-year solar cycle was first definitively identified in 1843 by German amateur astronomer Heinrich Schwabe through the observation of sunspots on the Sun’s surface. This cycle has been relatively consistent for millions of years, with evidence suggesting that other stars also exhibit similar but varying cycle durations.

When the Sun’s magnetic field flips, it triggers various phenomena like sunspots. The Sun’s magnetic field is a complex process driven by the charged particles in the Sun’s ionized hydrogen gas, creating a magnetic field with changing polarity. While the exact mechanisms are not fully understood, this magnetic field plays a crucial role in solar activity.