Propagation de K7RA Our Sun is in another period of spotless days. Since Monday, May 15, no
spots are visible, through Thursday so far. We don't have access to an
actual sunspot prediction model for the next week, but the U.S. Air Force
does issue a daily 45 day outlook for solar flux and planetary A index. The
forecast shows a steady solar flux of 75 until May 26, when it jumps 10
points to 85.
The solar flux on these four spotless days ranged from 71.5 to 73.5, and
rises slightly over the period. With a prediction of solar flux at 75 over
the next week, that suggests low sunspot numbers or perhaps even more days
with no sunspots. Currently sunspot 884 (a small one) is just beginning to
peek around our Sun's eastern limb. We should see some daily sunspot number
until it either fades away or completes a transit of the Earth-facing side
of our sun.
As the sunspot cycle continues its descent, we will see long stretches with
no visible spots. Nearly a decade ago, 38 consecutive days, from September
13, 1996 through October 20, 1996 had no sunspots.
