Mystery of the Missing Sun Spots

[PPI Brian]

The sun is in the pits of a century-class solar minimum, and sunspots have been puzzlingly scarce for more than two years. Now, for the first time, solar physicists might understand why.

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/17jun_jetstream.htm

What a difference 48 hours can make. Only two days ago the sun was blank and calm, displaying the sort of unrelenting quiet we've come to expect from the deepest solar minimum in a century. Then, with startling rapidity, sunspot 1024 burst onto the scene:
http://spaceweather.com/images2009/06jul09/1024_anim.gif?PHPSESSID=luk5o4otnse5ra18d
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More info from Space Weather: http://spaceweather.com/

[PPI Tim]

There was a little black spot on the sun today....  8)

[PPI Brian]

And tomorrow we get nailed by a CME. Stay indoors and wear sunscreen.  8)