As the Sun begins to emerge from a dip in activity, newly launched NASA tools are helping scientists capture the event in unprecedented ways. Cycles in solar activity - such as sunspots, flares, and solar storms - have long been recognized and charted. Generally following a 10-12 year pattern, these cycles are linked to amounts of total solar irradiance, cosmic rays, and even terrestrial radio interference. However, never before have scientists had such powerful tools with which to observe and study these cycles, and never before has the infrastructure of technology and communication been more vulnerable to the rise in solar activity.

Launched in early 2010, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory will take point in a new push for understanding of the basic mechanisms driving the sun's regular fluctuations. Besides simple curiosity, there is a compelling and practical reason for this push towards understanding: with more and more of humanity's technology dependent upon sensitive electrical instruments, the ability to predict the solar storms that fling damaging cosmic rays in our direction would be incredibly valuable. While this kind of stellar weather forecasting is only in its earliest stages, it could mean the difference between a minor communication glitch and a global technology shutdown.

More info on the SDO and its mission at http://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/mission/about.php