From NASA's excellent Space Weather website:
A SUMMER WITHOUT SUNSPOTS: Since northern summer began on June 21st, the sun has been blank--that is, without sunspots--88% of the time. The only interruptions have been a handful of tiny quiet sunspots that sometimes disintegrated within hours of forming. The remainder of summer appears set to continue in the same way. Welcome to Solar Minimum!
GEOMAGNETIC STORM FORECAST: Earth is about to be hit by a double-stream of solar wind. The two streams are flowing from holes in the sun's atmosphere.
For that last news item, check the Planetary K-Index every so often. If it is above 6, the chances for aurora in the Pacific Northwest are really good. Always a fun display. Right now it is hovering around 1 and 2 so no luck...
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