Welcome to Solar Cycle 24

[M0RNA]

NEWS FROM SIDC - RWC BELGIUM Fri Jan 4 2008, 1300 UT
Several observatories have reported the presence of a high latitude sunspot group (Catania: http://web.ct.astro.it/sun/draw.jpg, Kanzelhohe: http://cesar.kso.ac.at/sunspot_drawings ... 4_0832.jpg). MDI images show a bipolar structure. This bipole is the first of the new solar cycle which actually develops into a visible sunspot group. Solar cycle 24 has arrived!

[FoulOleRon]

Hoo-f*cking-ray!! Sick of the hiss on the fives, and the 19UK is so **** as to be unlistenable

[kc]

This is the second time that has been announced.
Last time it was because a sun spot had travelled backwards a guaranteed sign of a new cycle.

[Dirty_Harry]

HAVE TO AGREE WITH KC's CYNASISM,I WILL BELEIVE THAT IT HAS BEGUN WHEN IM GETTING PROPAGATION FOR AT LEAST 6 HRS A DAY ON 11 METERS..

[theEarwigger]

1-2-3-HOORAY

I wouldn't disagree with spaceweather.com!! Just heard some Russians on 27MHz this morning. Nothing on 10m except a very weak CW beacon.

Anyway, patience lads. The last cycle was below average. The gods owe us a favour by the law of averages.

I too am sick of having a large antenna that only picks up noise.

[M0RNA]

It was thought that cycle 24 had begun a few weeks ago when a sunspot precursor appeared but didn't mature into an actual spot. It got peoples hopes up because it appeared in the right area of the sun, and it had a reversed magnetic signature, both of which are characteristic of a new solar cycle. These new spots, are real spots, are in the correct area, and have the reversed magnetic signature, so this time its for real. However, that doesn't mean that DX is going to suddenly start appearing....we are at the bottom of the graph and have a long climb out of the pit, so to speak. At least we _are_ on the way back up though

[Spider]

Hey that Sunspot is the shape of the number "981". What are the chances of that? Weird!