ACEIZE Tracking the current state of Science and Technology

NASA and NOAA have predicted that the next solar cycle, dubbed Solar Cycle 24, will peak in May 2013 with the lowest number of sun spots since 1928. Predictions are for a sunspot number around 90 during the next solar maximum compared to 78 in 1928.

The sunspot number is based on a calculation rather than actual observations. According to spaceweather.com, "As a rule of thumb, if you divide either of the official sunspot numbers by 15, you'll get the approximate number of individual sunspots visible on the solar disk if you look at the Sun by projecting its image on a paper plate with a small telescope."

In preparation for the upcoming solar maximum, groups such as the International Living with a Star (ILWS) and most national space programs are beefing up their heliophysics assets in order to better monitor and predict solar flares.