Astronomers have detected changes in the Sun's internal "heartbeat." Scientists from the University of Birmingham say this could indicate a restructuring of magnetic processes inside the star, affecting solar activity and space weather that influences Earth.
The study, published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, used helioseismology to study sound waves propagating inside the Sun, allowing a glimpse beneath its surface.
Analyzing data from the BiSON telescope network from 1987 to 2025, researchers found that starting around solar cycle 23, the relationship between internal oscillations and traditional activity indicators gradually changed. Magnetic activity appears to concentrate under the photosphere, suggesting deep magnetic restructuring.
Particularly notable were recent cycles: while cycle 24 was weak and cycle 25 moderate, internal data reveal more complexity than surface observations suggest. "Surface observations don't tell the whole story. The Sun may be entering a new regime of behavior that will develop over decades," said lead author Professor Bill Chaplin.
Understanding these changes is crucial for improving long-term space weather forecasts, as solar activity directly affects geomagnetic storms and near-Earth space conditions. Researchers will continue monitoring through current and next solar cycles to determine if these changes are temporary or signal a new phase in the Sun's life.
