2012: Our Growingly Erratic Sun

We do not know exactly what will happen when the Earth and Sun become aligned with the core of our Galaxy. But the discovery in recent years that this core is in fact a giant black hole emitting magnetic energy and consuming thousands of stars at least conjures up a fascinating image of a straight and open pathway between our own star and that core.

By Marco Cáceres
There are many beliefs about the significance of the end of the Maya Long Count calendar on December 21, 2012, which is expected to coincide with the alignment of our Earth and Sun with the center of our Milky Way Galaxy -- a phenomenon that occurs only once every 26,000 years. It is not clear what, if anything, happens when such an alignment occurs. Some people speculate that this alignment will cause some sort of cataclysmic event that will physically alter the world as we know it. Others believe the date will mark the beginning of a new human consciousness or spiritual awakening.

What is interesting is that this lead up to December 21, 2012 is occurring at about the same time as our Sun has become increasingly erratic, volatile. During the past two years, NASA satellites and telescopes have detected a significant rise in the frequency of solar flares and storms on the Sun's surface. The Sun is now emerging from a cycle of low activity or "solar minimum". Solar cycles usually last for periods of about 11 years.

The rise in solar activity means that the Sun's magnetic field will be growing stronger during the next few years, and this will generate greater amounts of ultraviolet radiation and charged particles which can disrupt electronics and satellites on Earth. With our increased dependence on technology over the past two decades, these kind of distruptions could have a serious impact on the way we communicate, travel, and conduct financial transactions. Everything that depends on electronics and satellites (... the Internet, mobile phones, navigation systems) could grind to a halt.

In 1989, during the last upcycle for solar activity, an intense solar storm played havoc on our planet's ionosphere and magnetic field. It shut down the power grid servicing the entire Canadian province of Quebec. Since then, less powerful storms on the surface of the Sun have knocked out numerous satellites.

We do not know exactly what will happen when the Earth and Sun become aligned with the center of our Galaxy or "galactic plane". But the discovery in recent years that this center is in fact a giant black hole emitting magnetic energy and consuming thousands of stars at least conjures up a fascinating image of a more direct, more active, and denser pathway between our own star and that center. Could this alignment cause a greater gravitational pull on the Sun than has ever been witnessed in 4,000 years of recorded human history? And if so, what would be the effect of this destabilizing force on Earth?

Rather than get caught up in all the hype surrounding the end of the Maya Long Count calendar and what it might mean to humanity, a dose of science might be in order. Thus, I'd like to offer a series of articles over the next couple of years to track what our satellites and telescopes are conveying to us about our Sun's behavior and its impact on our planet's atmosphere and environment.

Given that the ancient Maya of the area now known as Honduras, and other parts of Mesoamerica, were the greatest astronomers of their day, I would like to re-introduce the study of the stars into the mix of conversation themes relevant to Honduras. (7/30/10) (photo courtesy Internet)