Sun wakes up: Strongest sunspot this year?

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Sunspot 1029 flared on the earthward side of the sun this weekend.

(Movie credit NASA SOHO.)

A new sunspot could become strongest this year. Sunspot 1029 developed rapidly over the weekend. The sunspot could signal a period of increased solar activity in new solar cycle 24.

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The recent solar minimum has been the deepest in nearly a hundred years. Solar astronomers are forecasting increased solar activity as the new solar cycle 24 gets going.

Sky Show Tonight:

Our clearing skies should allow us to see a treat in the southern sky tonight.

Jupiter will be close to the first quarter moon in the southern sky tonight. Look south after sunset and you should see the moon just to the right of the bright planet Jupiter.

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(Image credit: Spaceweather.com)

Enjoy the show!

PH