The first clouds were detected inside the Arctic Circle by the NOAA 21 satellite. The northern season for NLCs began on May 26th. Solar wind flowing from this small coronal hole could reach Earth on Nov. Switch to: Europe, USA, New Zealand, Antarctica Neutron counts from the University of Oulu's Sodankyla Geophysical Observatory show that cosmic rays reaching Earth are slowly declining-a result of the yin-yang relationship between the solar cycle and cosmic rays. Credit: SDO/HMIĬosmic Rays Solar Cycle 25 is intensifying, and this is reflected in the number of cosmic rays entering Earth's atmosphere. Sunspots AR3490and AR3500 have 'delta'-class magnetic fields that pose a threat for X-class solar flares.