Hodgson Observatory

Detailed study of sunspots and related phenomena require very sophisticated and expensive equipment, such as that found at Kitt Peak and other Earth-based observatories, or monitors found in spacecraft. Researchers wishing definitive information on 2008 sunspot activity do well to consult the websites of NASA and other major solar observatories. That said, there is still a satisfaction in making your own solar observations, and then at year’s end looking back at what you have recorded. The imperfect but personal investigation made at Hodgson Observatory in 2008 may be of local interest. In 2008, solar observations were made at the Hodgson Observatory Wide-Sky facility on 30 different days with the 203mm aperture f/4.9 Newtonian reflector, using a full aperture solar filter and magnifications of 25x to 115x. The most active months of solar observation in 2008 were January, February, October, November, and December. We were limited by many cloudy days, high winds, extreme temperatures, involvement in other projects including building the new Astro Lodge, and travel away from home.

As viewed at Hodgson Observatory throughout 2008 sunspot activity was at a protracted very low level. This is in line with other reports. One would have to go back to 1954 or earlier to find a similar low level. Indeed going back to mid-November 2007 when our Wide-Sky facility began to focus on sunspot activity, minimal spot activity has been the rule. In late 2007, of six observations only one was positive, a fine spot group on December 12. In 2008, spots were only seen on January 31 (a fine group with 2 major and 3 minor spots), and on October 3 (one lone small spot). Of course other spots were missed when we were not looking, some of them doubtless short-lived, but the broad reality is clear. Where is the new sunspot cycle? Are we entering a protracted minimum like the Maunder Minimum of 1645-1715?  One wonders!  It is much too soon to be sure, but we are in fact overdue for a long minimum, a break in the sunspot cycle.

The Maunder Minimum had some major negative climate impact on Earth. Are we minor witnesses to some major history?  We will keep watching in 2009. (Already in 2009,  January 1 and 4 have provided us with negative observations.)

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 4th, 2009 at 3:39 pm and is filed under Dicks Observations. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.