NASA: Solar Cycle 24 may have begun
It could be starting now.
“New solar cycles always begin with a high-latitude, reversed polarity sunspot,” explains Hathaway. “Reversed polarity ” means a sunspot with opposite magnetic polarity compared to sunspots from the previous solar cycle. “High-latitude” refers to the sun’s grid of latitude and longitude. Old cycle spots congregate near the sun’s equator. New cycle spots appear higher, around 25 or 30 degrees latitude.
The region that appeared on Dec. 11th fits both these criteria. It is high latitude (24 degrees N) and magnetically reversed. Just one problem: There is no sunspot. So far the region is just a bright knot of magnetic fields. If, however, these fields coalesce into a dark sunspot, scientists are ready to announce that Solar Cycle 24 has officially begun.
The fact that this cycle is not starting normally and hails from previous non-normal cycles is the real news. One big CME hit and the sun will rise in the West, earthlings.
My fellow “Lemmings” good evening..ONE BIG CME and the “Amish” catalog go’s # 1..on Oprah’s list! …for awile anyway…but then We panic in the inner city in about 9 day’s of grid loss and no emergency services..IE people start to devolve..I think the 9 day’s is a optimistic view..druggies will last about 3 days tops? some will kill for cigarettes
like in Katrina.in two .”Martial Law ” Gloom- Doom” ~ Yada-Yada…have a nice day…anyway…