[ETS/PARC List] A New Sunspot Emerges

[Drew Moore]

Space Weather News for Sept. 22, 2008
http://spaceweather.com

NEW SUNSPOT: For the first time in months, a significant sunspot is 
emerging on the sun.  It is a fast-growing active region with two dark 
cores, each larger than Earth.  The magnetic polarity of the sunspot 
identifies it as a member of new Sunspot Cycle 24.  Because the year 
2008 has brought so many blank suns, some observers have wondered if we 
are ever going to climb out of the ongoing deep solar minimum.  Today's 
new sunspot is an encouraging sign that the 11-year solar cycle is 
indeed progressing, albeit slowly.   Visit http://spaceweather.com for 
sunspot photos and updates.

SEPTEMBER EQUINOX:  Seasons on Earth change much faster than they do on 
the sun.  Today, autumn begins in the northern hemisphere and spring in 
the southern hemisphere when the sun crosses the celestial equator.  The 
crossing, called the "equinox," takes place at 1544 UT (11:44 EDT) on 
Monday, Sept. 22nd.  Happy equinox!




-- 
Gerry Jurrens N2GJ
mailto:n2gj at amsat.org <mailto:n2gj at amsat.org>