In February 2001, the Sun did a magnetic polar shift. The next one is due again in 2012. NASA scientists who monitor the Sun say that our star's awesome magnetic field flipped 22 months ago, signaling the arrival of a solar maximum.

Full article can be found here.
www.PoleReversal.com (http://www.polereversal.com)
http://www.polereversal.com/sun.jpg

Yes, it's a cycle that completes every 11 years. Be on the lookout for some nice flares (hopefully NOT headed our way though). I always love getting interesting data from SOHO. :)

PLEASE do not double thread the same post

http://www.sciforums.com/showthread.php?p=944778#post944778