While a number of people are convinced this polarity switch will lead to doom here on Earth, NASAs people insist the dramatic shift that’s about to occur is nothing out of the ordinary. In fact, every 11 years the sun’s poles switch their magnetic field.
While no catastrophic events on Earth will be caused by the flip, the Sun’s polarity reversal will affect the weather of space all the way to the edges of our solar system. Key to how space weather is effected by solar field reversals is the current sheet. The current sheet is a surface at the sun’s equator that generates an electrical current as it contacts the star’s rotating magnetic field. During field reversals the sheet becomes wavy, and according to Phil Scherrer, a NASA astronomer, the transition of poles from one side of the star to the other can stir up some pretty storming weather in our neighborhood.
In addition to stirring up a whole mess of space weather the sun’s polar reversal will also affect the way cosmic rays effect the atmosphere of space. Cosmic rays, which are born from supernova explosions and other violent space events, are a danger to astronauts and space probes hanging out in our lower atmosphere. While the sun’s current sheet acts as effective barrier to these particles it’s new, temporarily wavy sheet will act as an even better deflector, further protecting our astronauts and comm satellites.
While NASA scientists are positive that the Sun’s about to reverse its polarity they can’t precisely pinpoint when it will occur and believe it’s sure to happen in the next three to four months. "The sun's north pole has already changed sign, while the south pole is racing to catch up," Scherrer said. "Soon, however, both poles will be reversed, and the second half of solar max will be underway."
Watch a Video Explaining the Sun’s Magnetic Field Flip:
Images and Video Courtesy of NASA