From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Solar maximum or solar max is the period of greatest solar activity in the solar cycle of the sun. During solar maximum, sunspots appear.^[1]

Solar maximum is contrasted with solar minimum. Solar maximum is the period when the sun's magnetic field lines are the most distorted due to the magnetic field on the solar equator rotating at a slightly faster pace than at the solar poles. The sun takes about 11 years to go from one solar maximum to another and 22 years to complete a full cycle.^{[citation needed]}

Historic maxima

The last solar maximum was in 2001, and the next one has been predicted by NASA for 2013.^[2]

Film

There is an IMAX documentary about solar maximum called Solarmax.

References

1. ^ http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=37575
2. ^ http://solarscience.msfc.nasa.gov/predict.shtml

See also

• Solar minimum
• List of solar cycles
• Solar Maximum Mission