Above- The SDO image of Sun showing numerous sunspots as of 18th July and the below image shows their nomenclature as per NOAA Space Weather Prediction Centre
TOP IMAGE-
The progress of Solar Cycle 23 and Forecast of Solar Cycle 24
Solar Influences Data Centre image
SEVERE SOLARWX
Akshay Deoras
Severe Weather Forecaster
The sunspot number ( A way of measuring the solar activity) has jumped to 101 as of 17th July 2011. The solar activity ( sunspot formation) was HIGHLY LOW for June 2011 when the average sunspot number ( monthly) was 37.0 ONLY. The overall activity was very low for June when NO such Major flares also were emitted.
However average of this month ( July) as forecasted by IPS Radio and Space Services is 53.1 however for June it was estimated to be 48.8 and factual was 37 only!
Average on monthly basis also shall reduce the July Sunspot no value to around 40-45 as per SEVERE SOLARWX
It now seems that Solar Activity is picking up on the sun however NO SUNSPOTS RIGHT NOW SHALL PRODUCE A BIG FLARE!
If readers remember the article where the datas indicated a possible Solar Maximum in May 2013
The latest arriving datas indicate the Peak Monthly Sunspot number to be 90.2 in the month of December 2012 and 10cm Radio Flux of 139.0
It means if the IPS Space and Radio Services are to be believed then the Solar Maximum shall happen EARLY than predicted in December 2012 instead of May 2013.
The Intensity of the Solar Cycle Maximum shall continue to be the same as forecasted in the above link.
Synopsis-
Solar Activity shall rise from now onwards with more sunspots forming this month than anytime previous year. The Solar Maximum shall be very less intensified than the 2001 Solar max.
Chances of event like the Maunder Minimum are still hovering but less as of July 2011!
