Wide Angle: Solar Minimum

Every 11 years, the solar cycle changes the face of our sun.

During periods of calm, the solar surface gently churns hot plasma from the sun's interior, releasing a steady stream of particles into space. This is known as "solar minimum" and it could be considered boring when compared with the fireworks of solar maximum.

The sun is acting strange, enduring the longest quiet period for a century. Could this prolonged down time cause a global ice age? Or is the sun starting to stir, kick-starting the most ferocious solar maximum we've ever seen?

• News: Dormant Sun Spills Secrets in Its Sleep
  With the sun at its lowest activity level in nearly 100 years, scientists are taking advantage of its quiet state to ferret out some of the more subtle -- and occasionally insidious -- ways the sun impacts Earth's climate and atmosphere.
  
  
Slide Show: Hottest Solar Images
Despite decades of space missions to keep watch on the Earth's brilliant backyard star, much of it still remains a puzzle. Check out some of the hottest images of the sun we think have ever been captured.


• My Take: What's Wrong With Our Sun?
  When a scientist says the next solar maximum could cost our planet $2 trillion in damages, people tend to sit up and take notice. Does this mean a huge solar storm will hit us during the next predicted solar max? There's no need to worry quite yet, says Discovery Space Producer Ian O'Neill.
  
  
• Blog: Twisted Physics
  NASA's STEREO (Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory) spotted the first major activity of the new solar cycle: a coronal mass ejection (CME) emanating from the far side of the sun. Discovery Space blogger Jennifer Ouellette explains why this was such a huge discovery.
  
  
• HowStuffWorks: The Sun
  HowStuffWorks.com breaks down the center of our solar system and explores the parts of the sun, the amazing way it makes light and heat, and its major features.
  
  
• Video: The History of Solar Observation
  Since Galileo first recorded sunspot rotation, humans have shown a fascination with gazing at our home star.
  
  

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