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Experts believe we are on the brink of a solar minimum.

The sun follows cycles of roughly 11 years where it reaches a maximum and then a minimum, with the latter seeing the less heat emitted.

Professor Yvonne Elsworth at the University of Birmingham says that the next solar minimum could be in about two years but before then, the sun is expected to unleash significantly more radiation towards Earth.

Solar minimums create a heap of cosmic ray activity, which cause air showers of particles which pummel the atmosphere.

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These storms can wreak havoc on global technology as the radiation which strikes our planet heats up the outer atmosphere, causing it to expand.

This means satellite signals will struggle to penetrate the swollen atmosphere, leading to a lack of Internet service, GPS navigation, satellite TV such as Sky and mobile phone signal.

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Additionally, increased currents in the Earths magnetic field or magnetosphere could theoretically lead to a surge of electricity in power lines, which can blow out electrical transformers and power stations leading to a temporary loss of electricity in a region.

Prof Elsworth says that experts are already seeing signs that the solar minimum is coming.

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She wrote in a study: This is not how it used to be and the rotation rate [of the sun] has slowed a bit at latitudes around about 60 degrees.

We are not quite sure what the consequences of this will be but its clear that we are in unusual times.

However, we are beginning to detect some features belonging to the next cycle and we can suggest that the next minimum will be in about two years.

Originally posted here:

Technology to WIPED OUT by sun's radiation before world is plunged into 'solar minimum' - Express.co.uk