Sunspot Prediction
As is the case with terrestrial weather, the ability to make short and long-term predictions on the behavior of space weather has significant scientific, economic and quality of life implications for human civilization. Space weather has a direct impact on communications systems, navigation systems, satellites, manned and unmanned space missions, defense systems, geologic exploration, electric power grids, pipelines and terrestrial climate. Within the Heliosphere the Sun’s Solar Cycle governs the ebb and flow of the energies and matter emanating from the Sun. One of the most visible manifestations of the Solar Cycle is the progression of Sunspot activity.
Planning for satellite orbits and space missions often require knowledge of solar activity levels years in advance.
NOAA/NWS Space Weather Prediction Center http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/
NASA/Marshall Solar Physics, Solar Cycle Prediction http://solarscience.msfc.nasa.gov/predict.shtml
This is an animation of the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) sunspot predictions for the transition from Solar Cycle 23 to Solar Cycle 24 from 2003 to present.
http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk316/MichaelRonayne/Solar_Cycle_23-24_Sunspots.gif
There is an animated review for NASA's Dr. Hathaway’s past sunspot predictions which were recovered from Internet cache and various dustbins across the Internet.
http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk316/MichaelRonayne/Hathaway_Predict.gif
Directions for Viewing GIF Animations in Windows IE:
- To view the animation in IE full screen press F11.
- To return to the normal IE view press F11 a second time.
- To expand the graphic to its full size pass the pointer over graphic and right click using the magnifying class pointer with the “+” sign.
- The stop the animation press the “ESC” key.
- The restart the animation press the “F5” key.
Michael Ronayne (talk) 12:26, 24 August 2008 (UTC)