Space Weather Space Weather Prediction Center Current Solar Events 2 3 4 - provides a consistent look and feel at widely distributed co-investigator institutions to facilitate data exchange and to stimulate coordinated analysis. Commonalities and overlap in solar data and analysis goals are exploited to permit application of fundamental utilities to the data from many different solar instruments. The use of common libraries, utilities, techniques and interfaces minimizes the learning curve for investigators who are analyzing new solar data sets, correlating results from multiple experiments or performing research away from their home institution. Space Weather Prediction Center - The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) is part of the National Weather Service and is one of the nine National Centers for Environmental Prediction. It is the nation's official source of space weather alerts, watches and warnings. SWPC provides real-time monitoring and forecasting of solar and geophysical events which impact satellites, power grids, communications, navigation, and many other technological systems. SWPC also explores and evaluates new models and products and transitions them into operations. SWPC is also the primary warning center for the International Space Environment Service and works with many national and international partners with whom data, products, and services are shared. Sun Spot Cycle - In 1610, shortly after viewing the sun with his new telescope, Galileo Galilei (or was it Thomas Harriot?) made the first European observations of Sunspots. Continuous daily observations were started at the Zurich Observatory in 1849 and earlier observations have been used to extend the records back to 1610. The sunspot number is calculated by first counting the number of sunspot groups and then the number of individual sunspots. The Sun* is the most prominent feature in our solar system. It is the largest object and contains approximately 98 percent of the total solar system mass. One hundred and nine Earths would be required to fit across the Sun's disk, and its interior could hold over 1.3 million Earths. The Sun's outer visible layer is called the photosphere and has a temperature of 6,000°C (11,000°F). This layer has a mottled appearance due to the turbulent eruptions of energy at the surface. Also see: The Solar Spectrum 2 3 Views of the Solar System Solar Neutrinos Flipping of the Sun's Magnetic Field Atmospheric Optics U.S. Naval Observatory - Data Services The Solar Calculator     © Copyright 2011 - Samuel J. Wormley   by swormley1@gmail.com