At solar minimum, the sun's otherwise violent surface takes on a calmer and almost idyllic appearance but this faux calm can lead to magnetic storms which interfere with satellites, affect air travel and can even knock out power grids.
At the cycle's peak, solar maximum, the sun is continually peppered with spots, some as big as the planet Jupiter.
As the sun reached solar minimum, it increases the likelihood that activity levels will soon rebound with vigour.
A panel of experts from NASA and NOAA recently concluded that the current solar cycle is nearing its end, and the next one will begin when this streak ends.
If the solar minimum prediction is correct, it would make the current Solar Cycle 24, the seventh longest on record at 11.4 years.
Solar Cycle 25, the next period, is expected to peak in July 2025.
If today remains Spotless on the Earth facing side of the Sun it would be the second 37th consecutive day it has done so during 2019. Not only does this year hold the space age record of Spotless days, according to NOAA it would also be the third sequence this year above 30.
Pure Climate Skeptic@Carbongate
Daily Sun: 19 Dec 19 The sun is blank--no sunspots. Credit: SDO/HMI Sunspot number: 0 What is the sunspot number? Updated 19 Dec 2019 Spotless Days Current Stretch: 36 days 2019 total: 273 days (77%)https://spaceweather.com
Sunspot number: 0
What is the sunspot number?
Updated 19 Dec 2019
Spotless Days
Current Stretch: 36 days
2019 total: 273 days (77%)
2018 total: 221 days (61%)
2017 total: 104 days (28%)
2016 total: 32 days (9%)
2015 total: 0 days (0%)
2014 total: 1 day (<1%)
2013 total: 0 days (0%)
2012 total: 0 days (0%)
2011 total: 2 days (<1%)
2010 total: 51 days (14%)
2009 total: 260 days (71%)
2008 total: 268 days (73%)
2007 total: 152 days (42%)
2006 total: 70 days (19%)
Updated 19 Dec 2019
"March 24 was the last time a sunspot was seen on the surface of the moon ."
March 24 must have been quite a day... :-)