It is hard to believe we are in solar maximum when todays' sunspot number is 13 or 14. In this HMI continuum image we can see a tiny active region sitting isolated in the middle of the Sun. If it fades we will have a spotless Sun. The AR doesn't even have a number yet!
But as the northern hemisphere fades from maximum, the southern hemisphere has still not reached solar maximum. If you look at an AIA 193 image you can clearly see the polar coronal hole is still open. We are still hopin' for some more fireworks from Solar Cycle 24.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Where Have All the Sunspots Gone?
It is hard to believe we are in solar maximum when todays' sunspot number is 13 or 14. In this HMI continuum image we can see a tiny active region sitting isolated in the middle of the Sun. If it fades we will have a spotless Sun. The AR doesn't even have a number yet!
But as the northern hemisphere fades from maximum, the southern hemisphere has still not reached solar maximum. If you look at an AIA 193 image you can clearly see the polar coronal hole is still open. We are still hopin' for some more fireworks from Solar Cycle 24.
