Solar and Interplanetary Activity since Launch – The SECCHI and IMPACT View
Volker BothmerInstitut für Astrophysik der Universität Göttingen (IAG)5th SECCHI Consortium Meeting, 5-9 March 2007
Currently nearing Solar Activity Minimum
Recurrent geomagnetic storms
Geomagnetic Activity shows a secondary enhancement in the declining phases of the sunspot cycle
Geomagnetic Activity in
2006as measured
by the „Göttingen Solar Wind
Monitor“ at L1-1.5 Mkm
(in operation since 1932)
Solar Wind Stream Sources
Geomagnetic Activity in
2006showing a 4
sector structure and a
seasonal pattern
Launch1 2 3 4
ACE Solar Wind Data in September/October 2006
2 3 4 1
Solar Wind Stream Sources
2
3 4
1
SECCHI First Light Observations EUVI A and B
December 4 December 12
No major proton events in 2006 until December
Geomagnetic Activity in
2006
One major (Kp ge. 8-) storm in December
2006
December 2006 Event
December 2006 Event
December
2006 Event – IMPACT Observations
ACE Solar Wind
data for the
December
2006 event
Geomagnetic Storms / year g.e. 8-
Storms with Kp >= 8- per Year
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
Year
N
Geomagnetic Activity in 2007
Minimum Expected Mid to End of this Year
STEREO Launch
Solar Activity and major geomagnetic storms
The most intense storms since 1940
Since Individual Major Storms can occur at any given time – Stay tuned