Estimate of Solar Maximum using the 1-8 \AA$\,$Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites X-ray Measurements
Abstract
We present an alternate method of determining the progression of the solar cycle through an analysis of the solar X-ray background. Our results are based on the NOAA Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) X-ray data in the 1-8 \AAband from 1986 - present, covering solar cycles 22, 23, and 24. The X-ray background level tracks the progression of the solar cycle through its maximum and minimum. Using the X-ray data, we can therefore make estimates of the solar cycle progression and date of solar maximum. Based upon our analysis, we conclude that the Sun reached its hemisphere-averaged maximum in Solar Cycle 24 in late 2013. This is within six months of the NOAA prediction of a maximum in Spring 2013.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.1409.2763,
title = {Estimate of Solar Maximum using the 1-8 \AA$\,$Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites X-ray Measurements},
author = {L. M. Winter and K. S. Balasubramaniam},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1409.2763},
year = {2015}
}
Comments
5 pages, accepted to ApJL