[TWIAR] Solar Cycle 24 begins

[Greg Williams]

Space Weather News for Jan. 4, 2008
http://spaceweather.com

Solar physicists have been waiting for the appearance of a reversed-polarity sunspot
to signal the start of the next solar cycle. The wait is over. A magnetically reversed,
high-latitude sunspot emerged today.  This marks the beginning of Solar Cycle 24 and
the first step toward a new solar maximum.  Intense solar activity won't begin right away.
Solar cycles usually take a few years to build from solar minimum (where we are now)
to Solar Max (expected in 2011 or 2012).  It's a slow journey, but we're on our way!

Visit http://spaceweather.com for pictures of the new sunspot and updates.

-- 

Gregory S. Williams
gregwilliams(at)knology.net
k4hsm(at)knology.net

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