reply to post by JrDavis
The sun is not actually flipping, just reversing its magnetic poles. This is a process that happens approximately every eleven years. The sunspots and
flares will continue to rise until early or mid 2013, until it begins to subside. This cycle is actually one of the least active over the last
century. (1)
1.
Solar Cycle Prediction
reply to post by Kr0nZ
Solar maximum is not expected December 21, 2012. Please see my above response. From your link, saying 20 flares a day is an average over a six month
period. That is kind of important to include.
We've also been studying sunspots and the solar cycles for a lot longer than 30 years. It was first identified in the 1840s, though Galileo was
studying sunspots all the way back in the 1600s.
EDIT TO ADD:
You responded to a previous post about the solar maximum while I was typing up my response.

edit on 10/23/2012 by cmdrkeenkid because: Added
some text.