'The sun is slowly waking up': NASA warns that there may be more extreme space weather for decades to come

NASA warns that the sun is reversing a trend of low activity, with scientists observing increasing solar activity since 2008 that may continue for decades. The current solar maximum arrived earlier and stronger than predicted, bringing record sunspot numbers, powerful X-class flares, and an "extreme" geomagnetic storm that caused $500 million in damages while creating spectacular auroras. This heightened solar activity threatens vulnerable technologies like power grids, GPS systems, and satellites.