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Images related to Auroras Announce the Solar Cycle

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

Image of the Day Heat

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

Image of the Day Remote Sensing

A Quiet Interlude in Solar Max
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A Quiet Interlude in Solar Max

The Sun has been at a lull when many were expecting fierce storms and incessant sunspot activity. Could this be a double-peaked maximum?

Published Mar 6, 2013

Image of the Day Heat

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

Image of the Day Heat

Bright Aurora, Below Freezing
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Bright Aurora, Below Freezing

In early February, fast solar winds brought beautiful northern lights to North America and Europe.

Published Feb 13, 2021

Image of the Day Atmosphere Remote Sensing

Arabian Night Lights
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Arabian Night Lights

Researchers have found another use for night lights imagery: tracking unregulated and under-reported fishing.

Published May 17, 2021

Image of the Day Water Remote Sensing

Turning on the Lights in Tokyo
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Turning on the Lights in Tokyo

Strings of light emanate from the Imperial Palace in the city’s center and follow the expressway system outward.

Published Aug 23, 2021

Image of the Day Human Presence

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

Image of the Day Heat

Night Lights of the Levant
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Night Lights of the Levant

Alternating clusters of light and darkness show where civilization has carved out a place alongside and amidst the deserts.

Published Dec 11, 2017

Image of the Day

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