ScienceDaily (Nov. 12, 2008) — After two-plus years of few sunspots,
even fewer solar flares, and a generally eerie calm, the sun is finally
showing signs of life.
"I think solar minimum is behind us," says sunspot forecaster David
Hathaway of the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.
His statement is prompted by an October flurry of sunspots. "Last month
we counted five sunspot groups," he says. That may not sound like much,
but in a year with record-low numbers of sunspots and long stretches of
utter spotlessness, five is significant. "This represents a real
increase in solar activity."
Even more significant is the fact that four of the five sunspot groups
belonged to Solar Cycle 24, the long-awaited next installment of the
sun's 11-year solar cycle. "October was the first time we've seen
sunspots from new Solar Cycle 24 outnumbering spots from old Solar Cycle
23. It's a good sign that the new cycle is taking off."
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081111230341.htm
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Jim Reisert AD1C/Ø, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, http://www.ad1c.us
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