k0ua
Epic Contributor
Possible good news about Solar Cycle 25.
Dr. Tamitha Skov wrote:
"We are enjoying a mild solar storm due to some fast solar wind from
a large coronal hole that will be gracing much of the Sun's face
over the next few days. The strongest part of this storm has already
hit, bringing aurora down to mid-latitudes. Although the back half
of this coronal hole is not as well formed as the front half, we
should continue to see pockets of fast solar wind causing sporadic
boosts in activity through the weekend. Amateur radio operators
might take advantage of auroral propagation modes, since the solar
flux remains low with our near-solar-minimum Sun.
"Speaking of, talk of the approaching solar minimum has been hot and
heavy as of late, even in scientific circles. We have seen a faster
drop towards solar minimum than many expected. This bolsters my
hopes that we are indeed crossing through the solar minimum phase
more rapidly than predicted. In fact, some recent analyses are
indicating we might reach solar minimum as early as sometime this
year!
"As if on cue, the Sun gives us a glimpse into the future this week
by birthing a sunspot with a signature that confirms it belongs to
the upcoming solar cycle. These new-cycle regions are perfectly
normal and will become more common as time goes on. They also serve
as comforting reminders that the Sun is not diving into a new
Maunder minimum (with no sunspots for 70 years), nor is it plunging
us into another ice age. These regions are heralding the coming of a
new cycle. So rest easy. Sunspots will return and likely sooner than
most people think."
Note that Dr. Skov said a new spot has a polarity suggesting it is
from the next solar cycle, which is Cycle 25.
Dr. Tamitha Skov wrote:
"We are enjoying a mild solar storm due to some fast solar wind from
a large coronal hole that will be gracing much of the Sun's face
over the next few days. The strongest part of this storm has already
hit, bringing aurora down to mid-latitudes. Although the back half
of this coronal hole is not as well formed as the front half, we
should continue to see pockets of fast solar wind causing sporadic
boosts in activity through the weekend. Amateur radio operators
might take advantage of auroral propagation modes, since the solar
flux remains low with our near-solar-minimum Sun.
"Speaking of, talk of the approaching solar minimum has been hot and
heavy as of late, even in scientific circles. We have seen a faster
drop towards solar minimum than many expected. This bolsters my
hopes that we are indeed crossing through the solar minimum phase
more rapidly than predicted. In fact, some recent analyses are
indicating we might reach solar minimum as early as sometime this
year!
"As if on cue, the Sun gives us a glimpse into the future this week
by birthing a sunspot with a signature that confirms it belongs to
the upcoming solar cycle. These new-cycle regions are perfectly
normal and will become more common as time goes on. They also serve
as comforting reminders that the Sun is not diving into a new
Maunder minimum (with no sunspots for 70 years), nor is it plunging
us into another ice age. These regions are heralding the coming of a
new cycle. So rest easy. Sunspots will return and likely sooner than
most people think."
Note that Dr. Skov said a new spot has a polarity suggesting it is
from the next solar cycle, which is Cycle 25.
