Sun begins new solar cycle
A new sunspot appeared on January 4th, marking the beginning of Solar Cycle 24. The sun has an 11-year cycle of solar activity which is driven by the twisting of the sun’s magnetic lines of force. The twisting is due to the fact that the sun rotates faster at the equator than at other latitudes. The sunspot which appeared is the first of many expected, and it is expected that these sunspots will be associated with solar flares and solar storms. These solar phenomena are expected to peak in 2011 or 2012, and then subside again.
