{
  "id": 8265502,
  "title": "To Understand The Solar Cycle, Notice How The Sun Sleeps",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/to-understand-the-solar-cycle-notice-how-the-sun-sleeps",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-18T15:29:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Universe Today",
    "slug": "universe-today",
    "url": "https://www.universetoday.com/articles/to-understand-the-solar-cycle-notice-how-the-sun-sleeps"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Sun's magnetic field exhibits turbulent behavior, generating numerous sunspots during active periods, and remains dormant in quiet phases. This cycle of activity and dormancy follows an 11-year pattern, known as the solar cycle, since it was discovered in the 1800s. Despite extensive observations, predicting the exact timing and intensity of solar maximum remains challenging. However, a new study led by Sandra Chapman provides valuable insights. Chapman's research reveals that solar maxima have a distinct cutoff point, after which the number of sunspots drops significantly, correlating with the strength of the subsequent maximum. While there is a weaker correlation between the overall strength of one maximum and the predicted strength of the next, Chapman's findings offer a promising clue. Currently, Earth finds itself in Solar Cycle 25, which began in 2019 and has already surpassed its peak. Following the next cutoff point, anticipated around 2028, Chapman anticipates that Solar Cycle 26 will be slightly weaker than its predecessor. The accuracy of her model will be confirmed in the mid-to-late 2030s, providing valuable information about the Sun's behavior and its potential impact on our technological infrastructure.",
  "summary": "Astronomer Sandra Chapman has found a connection between the quiet period of one solar cycle and the active period of the next. Her data shows how a critical cutoff point is the key, but the real test will be the solar maximum of Cycle 26 in the 2030s.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}