A sunspot prediction for solar cycle 24. Planning for satellite orbits and space missions often require knowledge of solar activity levels years in advance. Current prediction for the next sunspot cycle maximum gives a smoothed sunspot number maximum of about 58 in July of 2013. As of March 2011, we are over two years into Cycle 24. The predicted size would make this the smallest sunspot cycle in nearly 200 years. Credit: NASA/ARC/Hathaway
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