Images related to A Quiet Interlude in Solar Max

Sunspots on April 29, 2009
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Sunspots on April 29, 2009

This pair of images from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft shows sunspots and ultraviolet light emitted by the Sun on April 29, 2009.

Published May 1, 2009

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The Dawn of a New Solar Cycle
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The Dawn of a New Solar Cycle

On January 4, 2008, the new sunspot—about the width of the Earth, but small by Sun standards—appeared in the Sun’s Northern Hemisphere, with its north magnetic pole (red area) pointing to the right and its south magnetic pole (blue) pointing to the left.

Published Jan 17, 2008

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Sunspots at Solar Maximum and Minimum
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Sunspots at Solar Maximum and Minimum

Our Sun experienced fewer sunspots in 2008 than it had since the 1957 launch of Sputnik. As of Sun-Earth Day on March 20, 2009, the Sun was continuing its quiet pattern.

Published Mar 20, 2009

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New Sunspot Cycle Begins
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New Sunspot Cycle Begins

After a slow start, a pair of sunspots in late 2008 signaled an upswing in Solar Cycle 24.

Published Nov 12, 2008

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The Sun Flares with Activity
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The Sun Flares with Activity

On January 23, 2012, satellites observed the most powerful solar radiation storm since 2005.

Published Jan 24, 2012

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Solar Flare Aimed at Earth
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Solar Flare Aimed at Earth

Published Jun 8, 2000

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Longyangxia Dam Solar Park
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Longyangxia Dam Solar Park

For now, this solar park in China’s western province of Qinghai is the largest in the world.

Published Feb 16, 2017

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May 2010 Solar Storm
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May 2010 Solar Storm

A bright mass of charged particles loops from the Sun’s outer atmosphere during a solar storm on May 23, 2010. Taken two hours apart, the pair of images shows the stream of particles moving away from the Sun during a coronal mass ejection.

Published Jun 20, 2010

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Topaz Solar Farm, California
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Topaz Solar Farm, California

The new 550 megawatt facility in California produces enough electricity to power 180,000 homes.

Published Mar 5, 2015

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Growth of Solar in the Gobi Desert
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Growth of Solar in the Gobi Desert

An increasing number of solar panels take advantage of the desert’s copious sunshine.

Published Jun 17, 2015

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Prominence from the Solar Dynamics Observatory
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Prominence from the Solar Dynamics Observatory

NASA's newest sun-monitoring mission captures a detailed view of a prominence erupting on March 30, 2010.

Published Apr 22, 2010

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Solar Storm on August 1, 2010
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Solar Storm on August 1, 2010

A flare bursts from the Sun in this detailed image taken on August 1, 2010, by the STEREO Ahead telescope.

Published Aug 7, 2010

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