[milwguy]

Each solar cycle is about 11 years in length. What determines the cycle is the sunspots. The are very low in solar MINIMUM and very active (numerous) in solar MAXIMUM. Each cycle has its own ‘signature’. That is the spots have a specific polarity. Cycle 23 have one polarity and cycle 24 have the OPPOSITE polarity. That is why people who study the sun will say the sunspot currently visible is from CYCLE 23. It is because of the polarity of the spot. We have already had cycle 24 sunspots, but very, very few. Last month there was a small cluster of spots, but they were cycle 23 variety.

Cycle 24 does not really start until the smoothed average of visible spots for a speciifc period (3 months I believe) OUTNUMBER the average of cycle 23 spots during the same time. Right now, the majority of spots are still cycle 23 spots, not cycle 24.

[unkus]

Thanks. I appreciate the explanation. Interesting stuff.

[kinsman redeemer]

All right. Good. Let me ask: What difference does the polarity make to earthlings? Is it electrical polarity?

Thanks.

[Myrddin]

In additional to the observable polarity, the cycle 23 sunspots will be mostly near the equator of the sun. The cycle 24 sunspots will begin appearing at high latitudes.