[jpl]

This could MAYBE be a sign that Solar Cycle 24 is finally ready to begin. Only time will tell though, as there have already been a couple of false starts.

[milwguy]

Actually it is more a sign cycle 23 is continuing. It has cycle 23 polarity, not cycle 24. Until average of Cycle 24 sunspots exceeds cycle 23 spots, Cycle 24 has not started. It is very common to have spots from both cycles at same time, but official start of cycle 24 is not noted until the cycle 24 spots average (3 months I think) exceeds cycle 23 spots average.

[muleskinner]

It’s not easy to spot that spot.

[ichabod1]

but what does it meeeeean?

[muleskinner]

It’s not easy to spot that spot.

[Cementjungle]

Obviously caused by gasoline-powered lawnmowers, we need to quickly institute a ban.

[SeaHawkFan]

So just how did man caused C02 emissions cause this?

[Rebelbase]

[sauropod]

home

[Marie]

It’s a 23 sunspot. There were two areas in the higher latitudes which were SC24 activity, but they didn’t form sunspots.

[aruanan]

As you can see in the new solar images, a new sunspot has formed. This one belongs to Cycle 23 because of its magnetic signature. This ends the streak of spotless days.

There have been several other tiny sunspots like this since January.

[markman46]

bump for later

[steelyourfaith]

 

Beam me to Planet Gore !

[RightWhale]

Another possible sunspot has been observed on the far side of the sun. The last such turned out to be instrument noise.