PUNCH Mission
NASA is set to launch the Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere (PUNCH) Mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, on March 6, 2025, linked to the solar cycle reaching its maximum phase.
- About the Solar Cycle: The Sun has a magnetic field similar to a bar magnet, generated by the movement of electrically charged particles.
o Every 11 years, the Sun’s magnetic field flips completely, causing the north and south poles to switch places. This periodic change is known as the solar cycle.
o The solar maximum occurs when the Sun’s activity is at its peak, leading to more frequent and intense bursts of radiation and particles.
o The solar minimum follows when solar activity decreases and a new cycle begins.
o Scientists track the solar cycle by counting the number of sunspots, which increase during the solar maximum.
o Giant solar eruptions such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) increase during the solar cycle, affecting satellite communication and power grids on Earth.
- Why are More Solar Missions Being Launched Now?
o Current solar activity and sunspot numbers suggest the cycle is nearing its maximum.
NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) has observed above-normal solar activity since May 2022, continuing through 2024o The solar maximum provides the best observation window for solar physicists.
o Missing this window would mean waiting until 2035-2036 for the next peak.
- Recent Solar Missions: Aditya L1 (India), Proba-3 (European Space Agency) & PUNCH (NASA).
Detailed Solutions & Explanations
