Mamma, guarda il sole!

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Space Weather News for Jan. 4, 2008
http://spaceweather.com

Solar physicists have been waiting for the appearance of a reversed-polarity sunspot to signal the start of the next solar cycle. The wait is over. A magnetically reversed, high-latitude sunspot emerged today.  This marks the beginning of Solar Cycle 24 and the first step toward a new solar maximum.  Intense solar activity won't begin right away.  Solar cycles usually take a few years to build from solar minimum (where we are now) to Solar Max (expected in 2011 or 2012).  It's a slow journey, but we're on our way!

Visit http://spaceweather.com for pictures of the new sunspot and updates.