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– There has been some improvement.
NRK has previously reported on Einar Fresvik.
The happy radio amateur from Bodø has been a bit desperate.
The reason is that he has not got hold of his friends.
But now there is an improvement in sight. Finally.
– It will be better now in the future, even if it takes some time. Three weeks ago we were up 27 places. So it worked well, says Fresvik.
Welcome, cycle 25
The spots you speak of are in the sun. There have been few of them in recent years.
The sun has been virtually “bright” at times.
The reason is that the sun’s activity goes in cycles of around 11 years.
When the activity is at its peak, sun maximum, there are many places.
But when the sun takes a “timeout”, solar minimum, less happens there.
After a few years of slow speed, things are about to happen.
– What has happened is that we have started a new cycle. The 25th in a row, Fresvik explains.
Exciting pastime
The reason Einar is interested in this lies in his hobby.
He’s a radio amateur. With friends from all over the world.
When radio announcements are absent, there are problems communicating. It is connected to the ionosphere, high above us.
It becomes less able to reflect short wave signals back to Earth.
You can read more about the technical aspects in the data box. But the short version is that it has been problematic for some.
Som Einar.
– Radio signals go directly to the great nothing, to space, and disappear, he said finally.
More Northern Lights
But over the next five years, there will be more activity, spots, and solar storms. And the northern lights.
That’s what researcher Pål Brekke from the Norwegian Space Center says.
– The spots are a manifestation of strong magnetic fields in the sun, he says.
– What does that mean?
– That you get more areas with strong magnetic fields. They are also the source of solar storms. And powerful eruptions, creating the strong northern lights that you see in the south.
The sun is shining a bit brighter too, according to Brekke.
It means a little more energy for the earth.
– The chemistry of the Earth’s atmosphere is changing. It can affect the jet stream and the weather.
Can hit the stream
More space weather can also be a cause for concern.
NORDLYS: Example of what a forecast looks like, from the University of Tromsø.
Photo: https://site.uit.no/spaceweather/
It can affect satellites, GPS signals, radio communications, and power grids.
Powerful flares on the sun can make it foamier to travel to the moon and Mars.
– Space weather is a topical issue at the international level. Both the UN and NATO have this on their agenda. And DSB here at home.
Right now, the Norwegian Space Center is working with the Armed Forces. Among other things, they are looking at how to get a better space weather warning.
It is important for many actors in society. Among other things, the oil sector. When drilling for oil, the last thing you need is space weather disturbances.
Internationally, there are plans to launch satellites, which will improve the alert.
CHECK CONDITIONS: Einar turns on one of the devices it has.
Photo: Markus Thonhaugen / NRK
Go to
Cycle 25 is expected to peak in July 2025, with 115 sunspots.
Einar Fresvik is looking forward to it.
– Before it really starts, we have some periods of equal activity. This year and maybe next year too. Little by little it becomes more stable.
But then there were these crown holes, then.
– Right now there is a big corona hole in the sun. It emits many particles. Which gives a great Northern Lights, but destroys conditions, sighs.
HOW IT HAS BEEN: Small spots in the sun.
Photo: SDO / HMI
HOPE: Einar Fresvik looks up at the sky and hopes there will be more activity in the sun soon.
