Explanation:
On June 2nd, clouds over Stuttgart, Germany parted to reveal
what has become a relatively rare sight,
spots on the Sun.
In fact, the roughly
11-year solar activity cycle is
still in a surprisingly deep minimum and
the years 2008 and 2009 have had the lowest
sunspot
counts since the 1950s.
Even the latest prediction is that
the new cycle, Solar Cycle 24, will reach a maximum in May 2013 with a
below-average sunspot count.
The Solar Cycle 24 sunspots recorded here are in active region AR 1019.
Previously, only two
cycle 24 active regions
with sunspots, AR 1018 and AR 1017, were seen in May.
Free Lecture:
An APOD editor will review great space images this Friday in Kalamazoo,
Michigan.
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