Above is a picture taken just today by the SOHO Satellite. Yep, that’s a picture from today, and not 10 years ago.

November last year I started one of my first blogs with the statements that Solar Minimum was over. After several years of zero Solar activity it was beginning to look like the Sun may never wake up. However, my daily testing of Lunt products had indicated that there were growing signs of life. But not even I would have predicted the current level of activity in such a short time?

Our Star has certainly woken up. I don’t know if anyone else has noticed, but the recent increase in activity is almost surprising. In a period of a couple of months we have gone from the odd Sunspot every few months, to what is now upwards of 6 active regions with multiple Sunspot groups.. Amazing!!!. Several months ago even the smallest active region seen on the Sun today would have been cause for chat on the forums. As you can see from the above image (surface rotates left to right) there is more on the way. And while the Northern area of the Sun has been the most active, we can now see significant signs of life in the Southern areas as well.

It sure is fun to “test” the scopes again.

There have got to be people out there who have watched the last Maximum turn to Minimum, and are now watching the new Miminum turn to Maximum with a little awe. I would like to hear about other people’s experiences and get some feedback on daily observations. There’s probably never been a better time to be in, and promote, the hobby of Solar Observation. There’s also the great and exciting opportunity to study and research the birth of this new cycle.

What effect will the new Solar Maximum have on Planet Earth?

You don’t need a SOHO Satellite to view and study the Sun in detail. Today’s Solar Telescopes and Solar Filters have advanced the technology of backyard observing to a high level of research capability. New generation Lunt Systems are research grade tools within reach of anyone who wants to watch the breathtaking power of our nearest Star. I had a person just yesterday ask “how quickly does the Sun’s surface change?”.. Well in the time it took to read this, the Surface has cetainly changed. These Active Regions are highly dynamic, they hold the potential for unpredictable and explosive behaviour. Small flares are probable, large flares are seldom,,,, they’re not a question of “if” they are now a question of “when”.

What are YOU missing?

About Lunt Solar Systems LLC…

Lunt Solar Systems is a manufacturing and sales facility located in Tucson, Arizona. Lunt Solar design, fabricate, assemble, and test solar telescopes and solar filters. Whether you are looking for a dedicated solar telescope or a solar filter for attachment to you own astronomy telescope, we can help. Solar telescopes models start at $499 for an LS35T (telescope) or the only slightly more expensive LS50F (filter), all the way thru the 152T and the 160F. Solar observing is both fun and educational. Don’t miss out on Solar Maximum. Feel free to contact us with question or comments and we’d be happy to help.