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New solar cycle begins


Date: 04-Jan-08
Author: U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

A new 11-year cycle of heightened solar activity, bringing with it increased risks for power grids, critical military, civilian and airline communications, GPS signals and even cell phones and ATM transactions, showed signs it was on its way late yesterday when the cycle's first sunspot appeared in the Sun's northern hemisphere, NOAA scientists said.

A sunspot is an area of highly organized magnetic activity on the surface of the Sun. The new 11-year cycle, called Solar Cycle 24, is expected to build gradually, with the number of sunspots and solar storms reaching a maximum by 2011 or 2012, though devastating storms can occur at any time.


The emergence of sunspot region 10981, with a magnetic polarity opposite to that of sunspot region 10980, on 3 Jan. 2008 signals the beginning of the new Solar Cycle 24.  Courtesy: Solar and Heliospheric Observatory / NASA / ESA
(Click on image to see a time-lapse movie [888 KB])

Full story: NOAA: Sunspot is Harbinger of New Solar Cycle, Increasing Risk for Electrical Systems


Related links:

• NASA Satellites Capture Start of New Solar Cycle
• SOHO: the new solar cycle starts with a 'bang'
• Is a New Solar Cycle Beginning?
• NOAA announces next solar storm cycle will likely start next March [2008]
• Scientists Issue Unprecedented Forecast of Next Sunspot Cycle

 

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