Sun stirs from an unusually deep sleep

THE sun has finally awoken from a deep slumber.

After an unusually long period of inactivity the fiery star has emerged from its solar minimum, a period characterised by a low number of solar storms and sun spots. Scientists believe changes in the plasma deep below the sun's surface were the cause of its recent period of hibernation, which lasted almost 1½ years longer than expected.

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/sun-stirs-from-an-unusually-deep-sleep-20110306-1bjlq.html