The sun's magnetic field reverses its polarity once every 11 years or so
Flip represents a peak in solar activity where bursts of energy are released
These bursts can lead to space storms and changes to Earth's climate
Radio and satellite communications may also be affected
The sun’s magnetic field is expected to flip in the next three to four months and it could lead to changes in our climate, storms and disruption to satellites.
This solar event only happens once every 11 years and signals what physicists call the Solar Maximum - a time when the Sun's solar activity is at its highest.
During this peak in activity the outbursts of solar energy can increase the amount of cosmic and UV rays coming towards Earth and this can interfere with radio communications, cause solar bursts of light - known as flares - and can affect the planet's temperature.
Solar flares created by changes in solar activity also release X-rays and UV radiation. These rays can affect Earth's ionosphere - a region of the upper atmosphere - and disrupt long-range radio communications.
Dr Phil Scherrer, also a solar physicist at Stanford, explained that during a magnetic field reversal the Sun’s polar magnetic fields lose strength and then stop all together before appearing again the other way around.
The increase of solar bursts have implications for a huge area; its influence extends billions of miles past Pluto.
Changes in the magnetic field affect what's called the 'current sheet.'
