Status of the current solar sunspot cycle

Abstract

The Solar Maximum Year began August 1,1979. This international cooperative scientific program is to continue through February 28,1981, and involves fundamental research on enhanced activity of the sun, such as extensive active regions, large sunspots, and major solar flares, which usually accompany sunspot maximum.The SMY has created renewed interest in following the present stage of this sunspot cycle—solar cycle 21. The two graphs and the Table can almost speak for themselves. The Table gives the daily record of observed sunspot numbers for the recent 12‐month period. It is of interest to note that the monthly mean numbers have exceeded 150 in January, July, August and September 1979. When active regions have been on the sun, the daily numbers have exceeded 200 for several days in a row in June through September 1979.