Solar cycle 19 was the nineteenth solar cycle since 1755, when extensive recording of solar sunspot activity began.[1][2] The solar cycle lasted 10.5 years, beginning in April 1954 and ending in October 1964. The International Geophysical Year occurred at the peak of this solar cycle.

Solar cycle 19
A solar prominence during solar cycle 19 (11 April 1959).
Sunspot data
Start dateApril 1954
End dateOctober 1964
Duration (years)10.5
Max count285.0
Max count monthMarch 1958
Min count5.1
Spotless days227
Cycle chronology
Previous cycleSolar cycle 18 (1944–1954)
Next cycleSolar cycle 20 (1964–1976)

The maximum smoothed sunspot number observed during the solar cycle was 285.0, in March 1958 (the highest on record[3]), and the starting minimum was 5.1.[4]

During the minimum transit from solar cycle 19 to 20, there were a total of 227 days with no sunspots. This was the lowest number since 1850.[5][6][7]

Extreme events

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A geomagnetic storm in February 1956 interfered with radio communications and prompted a search for the British submarine Acheron after it lost radio contact.[8]

Intense red aurora displays frightened people in Europe on 11 February 1958 and were visible from many US cities as far south as the 40th parallel. This geomagnetic storm caused a radio blackout over North America.

Aurora displays were visible over New York on 13 November 1960 and 1 October 1961.[9]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Kane, R.P. (2002), "Some Implications Using the Group Sunspot Number Reconstruction", Solar Physics, 205 (2): 383–401, Bibcode:2002SoPh..205..383K, doi:10.1023/A:1014296529097
  2. ^ "The Sun: Did You Say the Sun Has Spots?". Space Today Online. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
  3. ^ Dodson, Helen W.; Hedeman, E. Ruth; Mohler, Orren C. (August 1974). "Comparison of activity in solar cycles 18, 19, and 20". Reviews of Geophysics. 12 (3): 329–341. Bibcode:1974RvGSP..12..329D. doi:10.1029/RG012i003p00329.
  4. ^ SIDC Monthly Smoothed Sunspot Number. "[1]"
  5. ^ Spotless Days. "[2]"
  6. ^ Dr. Tony Phillips (11 July 2008). "What's Wrong with the Sun? (Nothing)". NASA. Archived from the original on 14 July 2008.
  7. ^ Solaemon's Spotless Days Page. "[3]"
  8. ^ Amsterdam Evening Recorder, 24 February 1956
  9. ^ Storms, Solar (28 July 2017). "Space Weather Newspaper Archives". www.solarstorms.org.