Estimate of Solar Maximum using the 1-8 ÅGeostationary 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 Åband 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.

arXiv comment5 pages, accepted to ApJL

References in corpus (1)

• Sphinx measurements of the 2009 solar minimum x-ray emission

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