Three weeks in a lesser solar maximum (September 27, 2013)

Hi-res TIF (2.8M)

Movies: QT: Large ( 18M), Small (2.7M), MPEG ( 12M), MP4 (6.2M)

While the Sun is thought to be approaching the peak its predicted maximum level of activity, a review of the past three weeks in extreme UV light suggests that this might be a very weak maximum. The video, which covers Sept. 3-23, 2013, shows very few solar storms and not a large number of brighter, active regions for a period when the Sun should be about near its maximum. While the Sun could perk up in the coming year or two as some scientists suggest might happen, so far the output has been underwhelming. Credit: STEREO/NASA.

SOHO began its Weekly Pick some time after sending a weekly image or video clip to the American Museum of Natural History (Rose Center) in New York City. There, the SOHO Weekly Pick is displayed with some annotations on a large plasma display.

If your institution would also like to receive the same Weekly Pick from us for display (usually in Photoshop or QuickTime format), please send your inquiry to steele.hill@gsfc.nasa.gov.