RSS
Home
Sunspots: Back to zero...for now
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
After a flurry of activity in late October, November 2009 returned us to a quiet solar regime, at least for now. The 10.7cm solar flux has dropped by about 15% since the peak October 26-28, and there are no sunspots at present.
It seems that 2009 is sure to pass 1954 and 1933 to move into 4th place for sunspot-free days since 1900. Both of these years had about 240 sunspot-free days. Last year achieved 2nd place with 266 blank days,; as of Nov 2, 2009 we stand at 235 days. Given the number of days left in 2009, there’s still about an even money chance for 2009 to at least tie 2008.
The burst of sunspot activity in late October was the most intense so far in Cycle 24, in terms of solar flux, sunspot number, and solar flares.
Only time will tell whether the trend of increasing activity will persist. The odds favor that it will since solar forecasts and activity since late September are falling into closer agreement. This is the first time projections and reality matched up for this length of time during the past 18 months.
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
