Old Sol continues to increase in activity, moving toward the eleven-year peak. Solar activity affects climate, auroras, (possibly) the electric power grid and radio propagation. For an impressive animation of this comparison, play the video below. To view the full-sized video, click here.
From SOHO Pick of the Week:
A side-by-side comparison of the Sun from precisely two years ago (left, from SOHO) to the present (right, from Solar Dynamics Observatory) dramatically illustrates just how active the Sun has become (Mar. 27-28, 2011). Viewed in two similar wavelengths of extreme ultraviolet light, the Sun now sports numerous active regions that appear as lighter areas that are capable of producing solar storms. Two years ago the Sun was in a very quiet period (solar minimum). The Sun?s maximum period of activity is predicted to be around 2013, so we still have quite a ways to go.
From what I’ve read, it’s not going to be a very big cycle, about the same as the last one.
Sure wish we’d get another one like Cycle 19!
Yep, those were the days. D layer skip on 6 meters and 20 meters open all night long. It makes my old radio juices flow just thinking about it.
I was first licensed in 1964, so I missed Cycle 19. The old guys at the radio club I took my classes at were telling me of guys working Japan on 10 Meters with a Heathkit “Tener”.
And that was from the Chicago area!
The first Cycle I went through as a Ham was Cycle 20, which was fairly good. I had a buddy who was a CB’er at the time, and he was working into South America!
Of course he had a 5 element beam at 50′, but still, pretty good for about 4 Watts RF output!