The Nation - News from June 5, 1989

Sunspot activity is rapidly increasing and could reach record levels within months, possibly threatening radio transmissions, satellites and electrical systems, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported. The current sunspot cycle began in 1986 and is expected to peak by the end of this year or the beginning of 1990, according to Joseph Hirman of NOAA’s Space Environment Service Center in Boulder, Colo. Increasing solar activity and subsequent bursts of radiation have already had serious effects. In March, a solar flare precipitated a power blackout in Canada, interfered with some satellites and provoked an intense display of the northern lights.