The Resurgent Sun Evidence is mounting that some solar cycles are doubled-peaked. The ongoing solar maximum may itself be a double -- and the second peak has arrived. Story at SpaceWeather.Com

Solar Maximum

Some time during the year 2000, the sun reached "Solar Maximum", the peak intensity of its 11 year cycle. During a solar cycle, the sun's output varies dramatically. Sunspots typically inhabit the surface of the sun and they seem to grow in number as we approach solar maximum. Sunspots are areas where the sun's magnetic field lines emit from or enter into the sun's photosphere or visible surface. Although the sunspots appear to be black in color as in this image, they are really very hot and are just a little cooler than their surroundings so they emit less light. They can also vary in size. Although one should never look at the sun without proper filtering, occasionally, a sunspot will grow to be several times the size of Earth and can actually be seen with without magnification.

Prior to having satellites monitor the sun, counting sunspots was one of the few means of determining solar activity levels. We are now able to monitor the sun in real-time using many different instruments. Real-time images from SOHO and YOHKOH

Occasionally, magnetic filaments snap and that's when the fireworks start. These events can sometimes be accompanied by a solar flare and or a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME). During a CME, millions of tons of magnetized gas can be ejected from the sun. When a CME is ejected towards Earth, it may interact with Earth's magnetic field creating visible aurora. As recently as April 30, 2001, aurora were visible over most of the United States and even into Mexico! On October 21,2001, aurora were visible as far south as North Carolina. Earth directed coronal mass ejections typically appear as a growing "halo" around the sun. Click here to see an animation of a full halo coronal mass ejection.

Although we are past Solar Maximum, the sun remains very active and so does the chances of seeing aurora. If aurora are visible in your area, you'll want to see them and not hear about them after the fact. Monitor the map below to increase your chances of seeing them!

Live Auroral Arc Map - Northern Hemisphere - Southern Hemisphere

NOAA - Space Environment Center

Some recent aurora images found at Spaceweather.Com:

Nov 24, 2001 Nov 6, 2001 Oct. 28, 2001 Oct. 21-22, 2001 Oct. 11-12, 2001

Sept. 29 - Oct. 3, 2001 September 23, 2001 August 27, 2001 August 17-18, 2001 June 17-19, 2001

April 17-18, 2001 March 30, 2001 March 20, 2001 April 12, 2001

Hot images and cool pictures!