'Weakest Solar Cycle in more than a Century' Two Large Coronal Holes / Spotless Sun

Once again the sun has gone completely blank. The current solar cycle is the 24th since 1755 when extensive recording of solar sunspot activity began and is the weakest in more than a century with the fewest sunspots since cycle 14 peaked in February 1906. The next solar minimum phase is expected to take place around 2019 or 2020.

Solar cycle 24

We are currently more than seven years into Solar Cycle 24 and it appears the solar maximum of this cycle was reached in April 2014 during a spike in activity. Going back to 1755, there have been only a few solar cycles in the previous 23 that have had a lower number of sunspots during its maximum phase.

The peak of activity in April 2014 was actually a second peak in solar cycle 24 that surpassed the level of an earlier peak which occurred in March 2012. While many solar cycles are double-peaked, this is the first one in which the second peak in sunspot number was larger than the first peak.

While a weak solar cycle does suggest strong solar storms will occur less often than during stronger and more active cycles, it does not rule them out entirely. In fact, the famous “superstorm” known as the Carrington Event of 1859 occurred during a weak solar cycle (number 10).

In addition, there is some evidence that most large events such as strong solar flares and significant geomagnetic storms tend to occur in the declining phase of the solar cycle.

In other words, there is still a chance for significant solar activity in the months and years ahead. The last solar minimum phase lasted from 2007 to 2009 and it was historically weak.

Solar minimum is not a period of complete quiet and inactivity as it is associated with numerous interesting changes. First, cosmic rays surge into the inner solar system with relative ease during periods of solar minimum.

Galactic cosmic rays coming from outside the solar system must propagate upstream against the solar wind and a thicket of solar magnetic fields. Solar wind decreases and sun’s magnetic field weakens during solar minimums making it easier for cosmic rays to reach the Earth.

‘The sun goes blank again during the weakest solar cycle in more than a century’ http://www.climatedepot.com/2016/06/25/the-sun-goes-blank-again-during-the-weakest-solar-cycle-in-more-than-a-century/ Solar Cycle Prediction https://solarscience.msfc.nasa.gov/predict.shtml

A solar wind stream is heading for earth and it could spark a new round of Arctic lights beginning on Dec. 19th. The gaseous stream is flowing from two large coronal holes in the sun's atmosphere.

"Coronal holes" are regions in the sun's atmosphere where the magnetic field opens up and allows solar wind to escape. The coronal holes are large, covering a majority of the solar disk. Earth will probably remain inside the wind stream for several days. http://www.spaceweather.com/

Solar activity continues at very low levels. The visible disk is blank once again as small region 2618 faded away. http://www.solarham.net/

Clips, images credit: NASA/SDO, Helioviewer.org & solarham.com http://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/ https://helioviewer.org/