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Credit & Copyright: Stefan Seip  
(TWAN)  
  
  
Explanation:
On June 2nd, clouds over Stuttgart, Germany parted to reveal  
what has become a relatively rare sight,  
spots on the Sun.  
  
In fact, the roughly  
11-year solar activity cycle is  
still in a surprisingly deep minimum and  
the years 2008 and 2009 have had the lowest  
sunspot  
counts since the 1950s.  
  
Even the latest prediction is that  
the new cycle, Solar Cycle 24, will reach a maximum in May 2013 with a  
below-average sunspot count.  
  
The Solar Cycle 24 sunspots recorded here are in active region AR 1019.  
  
Previously, only two  
cycle 24 active regions  
with sunspots, AR 1018 and AR 1017, were seen in May.  
  
   
  
 Free Lecture:    
An APOD editor will review great space images this Friday in Kalamazoo,  
>Michigan. 
  
  
  
  
  
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: solar cycle - sunspot
Publications with words: solar cycle - sunspot
See also:

