Solar Seasonal Comparison
March 31, 2003
A comparison of three EIT images almost three years apart illustrates how the level of solar activity has increased significantly. The Sun attains its expected sunspot maximum of its 11-years solar cycle in the year 2000. These images are captured using Fe XII 195 Å emissions showing the solar corona at a temperature of about 1 million K. Many more sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections occur during the solar maximum. The progression towards more active regions and the number/size of magnetic loops is unmistakable.
Topics:
Environment, Technology Internet, Sun, Space plasmas, Plasma physics, Solar maximum, Solar Maximum Mission, Solar cycle, Solar flare, Solar variation, Sunspot, Corona, Coronal loop, Climate change
