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