Sun's Fiery Show: How Scientists Tracked a Record-Breaking Solar Storm

The Sun, our closest star, has been putting on quite a show lately. In 2024, scientists got a front-row seat to one of the most active solar regions in decades. This wasn't just any solar activity; it was a massive, complex magnetic structure that caused some of the strongest solar storms in years. Scientists used two spacecraft to watch this solar region non-stop for 94 days. One spacecraft, the Solar Orbiter, is on a special six-month orbit around the Sun. It can see parts of the Sun that we can't see from Earth. The other, the Solar Dynamics Observatory, stays between the Earth and the Sun. Together, they gave scientists a full picture of the solar region's life cycle.This solar region, called NOAA 13664, was a big deal. It started in April 2024 and lasted until July. During this time, it caused some of the strongest geomagnetic storms since 2003. These storms created beautiful northern lights that could be seen as far south as Switzerland. But they also caused problems. Satellites, drones, and sensors were disrupted, leading to crop failures and economic losses. Scientists are interested in these active solar regions because they can have a big impact on Earth. When the Sun is active, it sends out strongly magnetized plasma. This can cause violent eruptions that send electromagnetic radiation towards our planet. While we see this as beautiful auroras, it can also mess with our technology. Understanding these solar storms is important. They remind us that the Sun is the only star that directly affects our lives. We live with this star, so we need to observe it and understand how it works. This way, we can be prepared for its impacts on our environment and technology.