Sunspot at last

Both NASA and NOAA have predicated that we are heading even further into the Solar minimum, Is this bad news for Aurora watchers. This low is expected to last until Autumn 2020 followed by a slow recovery

The new Solar Cycle 25 won't commence until 2023 - 2026



Graph: Space Weather

Solar Cycle 24 was a weak affair and produced little action. Sunspots usually produce a flares and Aurora activity. Some think that in an Aurora Minimum, the Aurora take on a more pink colour, which has been the case recently.

Solar wind comes from holes in the Sun, rather than Sunspot Flares at this time in the Solar Cycle, which still produces some impressive Aurora

This sunspot which appeared a few days ago, AR2738, is impressive, its has a core 3 times that of Earth but has not produced any flares. Something may happen soon as it seems to be breaking up.

The Sunspot has a trail which is 200,000km long, also know as a Light Bridge.

In 2018 we had 221 days where no sunspot were seen (61%)
so far in 2019 we have had 62  days (60%) where no sunspots have been visible

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