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.
Showing posts with label solar magnetic field. Show all posts
Showing posts with label solar magnetic field. Show all posts
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.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Dynamic Trio
SDO is watching as a trio of large sunspots begins to
rotate out of view (June 18-19, 2012) after spewing out numerous solar
flares and coronal mass ejections. The regions no longer appear to be growing, but it is likely that the decaying region will continue to produce eruptions for months to come.
Monday, July 5, 2010
SDO on Science Friday
SDO was featured in a video on NPR's Science Friday website (www.ScienceFriday.com). We described the Sun's magnetic field, the rise to Solar Cycle 24, and how SDO will help to understand the magnetic field. David Hathaway of NASA Marshall Space Flight Center was the guest on the show, discussing solar activity.
» Read the NPR Article.
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