space weather: solar cycle 24

Space weather around Earth is affected largely by the weather on our sun. Weather there goes through highs and lows of sunspot "storm" activity, with solar cycles ranging from 9 to 14 years. We've been in a low period (called a solar minimum) for a while now, but the next solar cycle has officially started. Its imminent arrival was discussed a few weeks ago, but solar cycle 24 was finally heralded by the appearance yesterday of a sunspot with the appropriate magnetic alignment (reversed from solar cycle 23).



It will take several years to build to another solar maximum. With increased sunspot activity, there is an increased chance for coronal mass ejections. These events can cause damage to satellites and even affect the electrical grid of a nation's electricity transmission lines. I usually visit spaceweather.com for the latest "local weather" news, but the National Weather Service also keeps tabs on it too.