This cycle is characterized by the waxing and waning of the Sun's activity, measured by the number of sunspots visible on its surface. Other associated phenomena include:
* Solar flares: Sudden bursts of energy that can disrupt radio communications and damage satellites.
* Coronal mass ejections (CMEs): Huge bursts of plasma and magnetic field that can cause geomagnetic storms on Earth.
* Increased solar wind: A stream of charged particles from the Sun that can impact Earth's atmosphere.
The solar cycle is not precisely 10-12 years, but rather varies between 9 and 14 years. It's a complex phenomenon driven by changes in the Sun's magnetic field.
