April 11, 2022
Summary for Carrrington Rotations CR2251 to CR2253 Available
ALPO Solar Assistant Coordinator Kim Hay has generated a brief summary report for Carrington Rotations 2251 and 2253. It is available at the following link for your review
January 6, 2022
Summary for Carrrington Rotation CR2249_CR2250 Available
ALPO Solar Assistant Coordinator Kim Hay has generated a brief summary report of Carrington Rotations 2249 and 2250. It is available at the following link for your review
October 14, 2021
Summary of CR 2246-2248 Available
ALPO Solar Assistant Coordinator Kim Hay has generated a brief summary report of Carrington Rotations 2246, 2247, and 2248. It is available at the following link for your review
July 18, 2021
Summary of CR 2243-2245 Available
ALPO Solar Assistant Coordinator Kim Hay has generated a brief summary report of Carrington Rotations 2243 through 2245. It is available at the following link for your review
May 5, 2021
Summary of CR 2240-2242 Available
ALPO Solar Assistant Coordinator Kim Hay has generated a brief summary report of Carrington Rotations 2240 through 2242. It is available at the following link for your review
February 21, 2021
Brief Summary of CR 2239
By Kim Hay
ALPO Solar Assistant Coordinator
Carrington Rotation #2239 (CR2239) started on December 25, 2020 at 22:30 (2020-12-25.9375; 2020.98819; Julian Date 2459209.43874) and ended on January 22, 2021 at 06:35.
The rotation continued with AR2794 & AR2795 taking the show. Even though they were beginning to decay by December 31st, the groups still exhibited stable magnetic fields but failed to generate much activity in the flaring aspect. With the start of the new year solar activity declined, leading to a period of 12 days without any sunspot or group activity. On January 8th SOHO recorded the Sun ejecting a large filament into space past Jupiter, “one of the biggest in years” according to the SpaceWeather.com website.
Things picked up on January 16th with the arrival of group AR2796 in the Southern Hemisphere. It was joined the next day by another new group coming over the limb from the far side, earning its numbered designation as AR2797 on the 18th. January 21st brought us AR2798 which continued its trek across the Sun with AR2797. At the tail end of the cycle groups AR2797 and AR2798 were crackling with C class flares.
Cycle CR2239 seemed to have fewer sunspot groups, closing out with a total of five active regions (AR2794-2798). Interestingly, all of them were located in the Sun’s southern hemisphere.
Data taken from the Sunspot Index and Long-term Solar Observations (SILSO) website
Thanks to the observers listed below who contributed 168 images and sketches to the ALPO Solar Image Gallery. Their work documenting CR2239 included observations in white light, H-alpha, and Calcium-K. We invite all interested Solar observers to join us on the ALPO Solar groups.io list where recent observation and news can be found. Details on how to subscribe can be found here.
| Paul Andrew | Frank Melillo |
| Anthony Broxton | John O’Neal |
| Vlamir da Silva Junior | Theo Ramakers |
| Howard Eskildsen | Randy Tatum |
| Guilherme Grassmann | David Teske |
| Monty Leventhal | Geert Vandenbulcke |
January 31, 2021
Ramp Up of Solar Activity Cycle 25
By Theo Ramakers
I was asked if it was true that it seemed that Cycle 25 activity ramped up faster than previous rotations. In order to try to shed some light into this, I am providing two graphs. It is noted here that each graph, while created by me, is based on data provided in the daily GEOalert notifications from NOAA’s Spaceweather Prediction Center (SWPC). Each graph shows the value of the sum of all daily active region areas for a Rotation since January 1, 2008 (Blue lines, mostly in the middle, with their scale on the left). Also shown is the number of spotless days. (red lines at the side with the scale on the right). The difference between the two graphs is that one of them shows the number of consecutive spotless days at the end of this spotless period (Streak).
The second graph below shows the number of spotless days by ROTATION at the last day of the rotation The number of these days reported by the size of the bars in this graph, don’t have to be consecutive, but the reported value is shown for an equal time period for all (one rotation). The Minimum for Cycle 23/24 (Beginning of Cycle 24) was in December of 2008. The Minimum for Cycle 24/25 (Beginning of Cycle 25) was during December of 2019, giving a cycle duration of 11 years. It is clearly seen that the blue lines (indicating Solar Activity) don’t start showing in 2009, one year following the minimum , but this cannot be said for 2020, a year after the next minimum. We surely see noticeable activity during the end of 2020. In addition, the Total Active Region Areas by Rotation show a higher value now than during the beginning of the previous solar minimum. In fact the Total Active Region Area by Rotation did not exceed 5000 millionths until August 9, 2010, or 20 months after the previous minimum. For the current Cycle, November 27, 2020 marks the first time where the 5000 millionths barrier was broken, and by well over 1000 millionths, which is only 11 months. So to summarize the results so far, Cycle 25 seems to gain in activity much faster than Cycle 24 did. We are eager to learn if this fast ramp up will continue.
January 16, 2021
Brief Summary of CR 2238
By Kim Hay
ALPO Solar Assistant Coordinator
CR2238 started on 2020-11-28 at 14:44 UT (Julian Date 2459182.11500 or Year 2020.91339) and ended some 27 days later on 2020-12-25 at 22:30 UT. This cycle saw a total of 13 Active Region (AR) sunspot groups AR2783 through AR2795.
Carrington Sunspot Data for CR2238
Data from SILSO
Carrington Rotation 2238 continued with high activity from AR2783 and AR2785-86 which originated with the prior rotation. By November 29th a new group in the Northern Hemisphere, AR2787, showed up. This was the only Northern Hemisphere group for the CR2238 cycle. It has been noted by Solar physicists that the two hemispheres are not always in sync. Images from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) on December 4th demonstrated this imbalance, especially in the H-alpha light. It could take up to two years for the Northern Hemisphere to catch up, but this is just part of a normal Sunspot Cycle.
Also on November 29th, the far side of the Sun produced the largest Solar flare seen in three years with an M4.4 flare, producing a shortwave radio blackout over the Antarctic. The group responsible for the outburst, AR2790, rotated into view on December 2nd. At this point in the cycle AR2786 was showing light bridges and decay.
There were several flares throughout CR2238 ranging from A to G1 activity. The flare from AR2790 produced much media attention for possible aurora activity but it fizzled out, producing aurora only in the higher latitudes. 
A new sunspot group on December 12th, AR2792, emerged in the Southern Hemisphere exhibiting Bxo/Beta and producing a C4 class flare.
A new sunspot group on December 12th, AR2792, emerged in the Southern Hemisphere exhibiting Bxo/Beta and producing a C4 class flare.December 4th, 2020 had a total Solar Eclipse in South America. One of our observers, Guilherme Grassmann from Brazil, obtained an image of the eclipse in Calcium light.
AR2793 emerged on December 15th, but a few days later during December 19-20 the Sun was void of sunspots. That was short lived, however, as new sunspot activity arrived on December 21stin the form of AR2794, followed by AR2795 showing up on Christmas Day. This closed out the Carrington Rotation with stable sunspots and groups with no chance of aurora activity.
Thanks to the contributors who forwarded their sketches and images for inclusion in the ALPO Solar Image Gallery for AR2238:
- Paul Andrew
- Anthony Broxton
- Vlamir da Silva Junior
- Howard Eskildsen
- Guilherme Grassmann
- Monty Leventhal
- Frank Melillo
- John O’Neal
- Theo Ramakers
- Randy Tatum
- David Teske
- Geert Vandenbulcke
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We invite you to join the A.L.P.O. Solar email list to keep current with all the Solar activity and the efforts of your fellow observers. |
December 17, 2020
Brief Summary of CR 2237
By Kim Hay
ALPO Solar Assistant Coordinator
CR2237 started on November 1, 2020 at 07:21 UT and ended on November 28 at 14:45 UT.
November started off very low in sunspot numbers with AR2780 and AR2781 producing a C class flare on November 8th. This in turn triggered an auroral display in the upper atmosphere for the Northern hemisphere. By the 12th AR2782 produced a C class flare, and the Stereo A satellite was monitoring two UV hotspots on the backside of the sun which were getting close to appearing
On November 18th new Sunspot AR2783 appeared. On November 20th, this spot produced two long B flares in UV. There was a Northern group AR2784 that showed up briefly on November 22nd. Then the next day saw AR2785 (S23E66, Hsx/alpha) and AR2786 (S16E74 Hsx/alpha), and AR2783 (S22W00, Cso/beta) develop trailer spots with B-class activity. AR2784 (N23E08 Bxo/beta) was stable and quiet. A C class flare was reported from AR2785. The Wilson Effect was seen on images by the SDO and Pete Lawrence (UK). It was also captured in images by ALPO observers Theo Ramakers and Frank J. Melillo (see below).
November 25th revealed two small groups rotating into view that were not yet numbered. Space Weather Prediction Centre reported that “AR2785 is 110 millionths and Cso(Beta) while AR2786 is at 800 millionths and Fko (Beta/Gamma)”. The associated auroral display produced the purple glow known as “Steve” (discovered by Canadians 10 years ago), a river of gas with temperatures of 3,000º C passing through the Earth’s magnetosphere faster than 13,000 miles/hour. In an article at spaceweather.com published November 22nd it appears that “Steve” now has green cannon balls under a sequence of vertical pillars dubbed “the green picket fence”.
As CR2237 was drawing to a close AR2786 was growing larger and producing C class flares on November 26th. Two days later an M class flare came from the backside of the sun originating from spots had not rotated into view yet. AR2786 (beta/gamma) was breaking up with light bridges.
So, all in all a very exciting and interesting month for sunspot and Solar activity. We are definitely in Solar Cycle 25!
Thanks to the following Observer’s who submitted their sketches (S) and digital images (D) which are now archived in the A.L.P.O Solar Gallery for CR2237:
- Theo Ramakers [D]
- Howard Eskildsen [D]
- Frank J. Melillo [D]
- Dave Tyler [D]
- Randy Tatum [D]
- Paul Andrew [D]
- Christian Viladrich [D]
- Tony Broxton [S]
- Guilherme Grassmann [D]
- Geert Vandenbuicke [D]
- Monty Leventhal [S]
- David Teske [D,S]
- Rik Hill [D]
- Vlamir da Silva Junio [D]
November 15, 2020
Brief Summary of CR 2236
By Kim Hay
ALPO Solar Assistant Coordinator
CR2236 started on October 5, 2020 at 00:18 UT and ended on November 1 at 07:20 UT.
The uptick in the number of Cycle 25 sunspots that were produced made for an exciting month. Sunspot Numbers for the rotation were AR2274 through AR2279. The graph below shows the daily counts based on data reported by Spaceweather.com and the SILSO World Data Centre – Royal Observatory of Belgium.
There were several CMEs that produced a range of C1 and C4 class flares. On October 28th one CME had enough energy to produce M class flares while exhibiting a Beta-Gamma magnetic field.
On October 26th sunspot AR2778 appeared, initially spanning over 90,000 km. Within 24 hours it grew to 100,000 km in size. As reported by Solar observer Theo Ramakers in his rotation summary report, “Total Active Region Area for AR2776 was 420 millionths with the maximum daily area of 110 millionth on October 19th. AR2778 however, which developed much faster, accounted for 830 millionths for its short appearance in CR2236 of the Total Active Region Area for the Rotation of 2000 millionths.” For those interested in learning how to calculate the millionths of sunspots please reference the following article by Peter Meadows of the BAA available on the SAO/NASA Astrophysics Data System
Cycle 25 sunspot AR2776 also displayed an “Ellerman Bomb” on October 18th and was captured by both Theo Ramakers and Howard Eskildsen in images they submitted to the ALPO Solar Gallery. Per Wikipedia, an Ellerman Bomb involves “randomly moving filaments as two oppositely charged ion flows meet the Sun’s photosphere.” These are micro flares which are named after Ferdinand Ellerman who studied the Solar Blasts in the early 20th century. Great work by Howard and Theo capturing this event!
Ellerman Bomb Captured October 18
Images & Sketches can be found on the Solar ALPO image gallery for CR2236 from the following individuals:
Theo Ramakers
Howard Eskildsen
Frank J. Melillo
Guilherme Grassmann
Geert Vandenbuicke
Monty Leventhal (sketch)
David Teske (sketch)
