Quite a lot of activity from Sol lately, huh

Well, I just was perplexed again at the data blackout(s) that have been happening. I was informed on a ham radio irc channel after posting the data link, that "because during spring and autumn the Earth sometimes comes between the GOES 13/15 and the sun, thus preventing the satellites from actually measuring anything"

Link with a similar explanation here

[link to www.swpc.noaa.gov] - scroll down, click "details"

"Some data dropouts occur during satellite eclipses when the moon or Earth comes between the satellite and the sun, especially during the spring and fall. The Eclipse season lasts for about 45 to 60 days and ranges from minutes to just over an hour"


I can believe that.


Also.. woah... @ that 3.0 MT