Solar minimum - Multiverse - Solar Week Message Board

Solar Week - Ask a Question

Come here during Solar Week (next one: March 22-26, 2021) to interact. To post a question, click on your area of interest from the topics below, and then click on the "Ask New Question" button. Or EMAIL or tweet or plant in Answer Garden your question about the Sun or life as a scientist to us -- and watch for it to appear here. You can also visit our FAQs (frequently asked questions). In between Solar Weeks in October and March, you can view all the archives here.

Forums
Search Forum
Advanced SearchTopicsPosts

Prev Go to previous topic

Go to next topic

Last Post 3/18/2008 2:33 PM by Christina Cohen

Solar minimum

2 Replies

Sort:


You are not authorized to post a reply.

Author

Messages

Anonymous

Posts:

3/18/2008 12:42 PM
As a HAM radio operator I am interested in how the sun affects propagation of radio signals. Have we passed the solar minimum at this point in the cycle? Thanks Glenn

Kris Sigsbee

Basic Member

Posts:415

3/18/2008 2:12 PM
Hi Glenn, Solar Cycle 23 had its peak around 2000-2002. Since then, scientists have been closely watching the Sun for signs that we have passed solar minimum and the next solar cycle has begun. On January 4, 2008, scientists observed the first sunspot with the opposite magnetic polarity to sunspots during the last solar cycle. This signals the start of Solar Cycle 24. Scientists actually predicted that Solar Cycle 24 would start in March 2008, so they weren't too far off. You can read more here: http://science.nasa.gov/h...jan_solarcycle24.htm If you are interested in tracking the progression of the next solar cycle, the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center provides charts showing the actual progression through the solar cycle and the predicted progression through the solar cycle here: http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/SolarCycle/ Solar Cycle 24 is currently predicted to reach its maximum sometime around 2012-2013. Kris

Christina Cohen

Basic Member

Posts:148

3/18/2008 2:33 PM
Hi Glenn, The official sign of the start of the new solar cycle is the appearance of a high latitude, reversed-polarity sunspot. This occurred on Jan 4, 2008. So, we have passed solar minimum, officially, and are starting on the new cycle. That said, the Sun is still very, very quiet and probably will be for the rest of the year (just my guess). Take a look at the attached URL if you are interested in reading more about the start of cycle 24. http://wattsupwiththat.wordpress.com/2008/01/04/solar-cycle-24-has-officially-started/ Best, Christina