The Sun, new thoughts on the solar cycle

I'm getting "Page does not exist", Brian!

Think this is the correct link:

http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/researchers-discover-new-clues-to-determining-the-solar-cycle

Very interesting article... it is a mystery why sunspots only appear at lower latitudes... there must be an internal structure to the Sun that we don't understand at present. This idea may help to explain that, and also explain why they can quickly change magnetic polarity.

Let's see if their prediction that the "sun will enter solar minimum somewhere in the last half of 2017, with the sunspots of the next cycle appearing near the end of 2019" holds true.

it is a mystery why sunspots only appear at lower latitudes

Since sunspots are considerably cooler than the rest of the surface of the sun, and since heat rises, it makes sense that sunspots should sink towards the bottom of the sun. (Very droll, Sawers! Report to the Physics Master straight after school!)

...sunspots should sink towards the bottom of the sun

Seriously, have you thought about a change in career? This refreshing thinking would give you a unique spot in the scientific establishment 😉